Word count: 5,758 (including references and tables)
KeywordsObsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD, attentional bias, eye-tracking, anxiety.OCD symptoms and attentional bias using eye-tracking 2
AbstractBackground and Objectives: Cognitive models suggest that attentional biases are integral in the maintenance of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS). Such biases have been established experimentally in anxiety disorders; however, the evidence is unclear in Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD). In the present study, an eye-tracking methodology was employed to explore attentional biases in relation to OCS.Methods: An opportunity sample of 85 community volunteers was assessed on OCS using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale-self report. Participants completed an eyetracking paradigm where they were exposed to OCD, Aversive and Neutral visual stimuli.Indices of attentional bias were derived from the eye-tracking data. OCD symptoms and attentional bias using eye-tracking 3 Conclusions: Results provide some support for the theory of maintained attention in OCD attentional biases, as opposed to vigilance theory. Individuals with greater OCS do not orient to OCD stimuli any faster than individuals with lower OCS, but once a threat is identified, these individuals are unable to redirect attention.OCD symptoms and attentional bias using eye-tracking 4
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