In recent years, cognitive‐behavioural models of OCD have increasingly recognized the potential role of feared possible selves in the development and maintenance of OCD, while simultaneously re‐examining factors that have historically been linked to self‐perceptions in OCD. The current article describes the development and validation of a multidimensional version of the Fear of Self Questionnaire (FSQ‐EV) in a non‐clinical (N = 626) and clinical OCD sample (N = 79). Principal component analyses in the non‐clinical sample revealed three conceptually and factorially distinct components revolving around a feared corrupted possible self, a feared culpable possible self and a feared malformed possible self. The questionnaire showed a strong internal inconsistency, and good divergent and convergent validity, including strong relationships to obsessional symptoms. In particular, the corrupted feared self predicted OCD symptoms independently from depression and other related self‐constructs and obsessive beliefs, while also strongly interacting with importance and control of thoughts in the prediction of almost all specific symptoms of OCD. Results are consistent with the notion that self‐constructs can be conceptually and empirically distinguished from obsessive beliefs and appraisals with significant potential to improve our understanding of OCD and related disorders.

Objective: Because the therapeutic processes of Avatar Therapy remain equivocal, the current study aims to further extend our previous findings by analysing the evolution of the avatars' and patients' speech and changes in patient responses as sessions progressed.Design: Eighteen patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia were selected from two clinical trials on Avatar Therapy. Three coders analysed both the avatars' and patients' discourse during immersive therapy sessions using content analysis methods.Results: Our analyses enabled the categorization of the avatar discourse into confrontational techniques (e.g., provocation) and positive techniques (e.g., reinforcement). Patients responded to these utterances using coping mechanism or by expressing emotions, beliefs, self-perceptions or aspirations. Through identification of mutual changes in the interaction between the patient and their avatar, a shift was observed over the sessions from confrontation to a constructive dialogue.Assertiveness, emotional responses and prevention strategies seemed to be central to the therapeutic process, and these usually occur in response to positive techniques. Conclusion:Investigating AT's therapeutic process may help to identify components to achieve positive outcomes and can enable the development of more effective treatments. Further studies should explore the association between these themes and therapeutic response to help predict which patients will better respond to Avatar Therapy.

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The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th ed. defines obsessions in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) as frequent, persistent, intrusive, unwanted thoughts that provoke anxiety and distress and lead to attempts to neutralize them with either thoughts or actions. However, no systematic review has yet evaluated characteristics that are specific to obsessions occurring in OCD. The aim of the current systematic review and meta‐analysis was to investigate the specific features of obsessions occurring in OCD by comparing them to both obsessionally and non‐obsessionally‐themed intrusions in non‐clinical and other clinical populations. Based on a registered protocol, 832 records were found, of which 15 were included in the systematic review and meta‐analysis, with a total of 1891 participants. Obsessionally‐themed intrusions that occur among those with OCD caused more distress, guilt, negative emotion and interference as compared to similarly‐themed intrusions that occur within the general population. The distinction between obsessionally‐themed intrusions among those with OCD as compared to those occurring in anxiety and depressive disorder primarily revolves around a higher level of persistence, pervasiveness and distress associated with their occurrence. Further, unacceptability, uncontrollability, ego‐dystonicity, alienness, guilt, the form of the intrusion, association with the self and lack of any basis in reality also differentiates between obsessions and intrusions occurring in other disorders. Obsessions share many characteristics with thoughts occurring in other disorders and can be distinguished using a combination of characteristics specific to individual disorders.

Cette étude fait une recension des pratiques éducatives déclarées en milieu scolaire québécois auprès des élèves présentant un syndrome de la Tourette. Le sentiment de compétence des intervenant(e)s et leur perception de l’efficacité des interventions sont aussi évalués. Quarante-quatre participant(e)s ont répondu à un questionnaire en ligne. Les résultats montrent que la gestion des tics est moins souvent rapportée que d’autres types d’intervention, comme la gestion de l’hyperactivité et de l’opposition. Les intervenant(e)s se sentent majoritairement compétent(e)s et considèrent que les interventions appliquées sont globalement efficaces. Cet article permet de mieux soutenir les intervenant(e)s et d’identifier ce qui favorise la réussite éducative de ces élèves.