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•The paper presents an integration of attachment theory and life history theory.•Early-life harshness and/or unpredictability promotes insecure attachment.•Adult attachment orientations, in turn, predict patterns of mating and parenting.•Insecure attachment is linked to cognitive schemas suited for risky environments.•Insecure attachment is linked to emotional profiles suited for risky environments.

Parent-child obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms involve obsessive preoccupation on perceived flaws in one's child. Such preoccupation is often accompanied by compulsive behaviors aimed at alleviating the resulting distress. Parent-child OC symptoms can be construed as an additional presentation of Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (ROCD), a presentation of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in which symptoms are centered on a significant other. In this study, a self-report scale for assessing parent-child ROCD symptoms (the PROCSI-PC) was created on the bases of an existing partner-focused ROCD scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis conducted on a sample of 350 parents supported a five factor solution of the PROCSI-PC corresponding to five perceived-flaw domains: appearance, intelligence, competence, morality, and sociability-stability. The PROCSI-PC total score was associated with parental OCD and mood symptoms, and with parental stress. Moreover, the PROCSI-PC was associated with greater depression above and beyond the effect of parental OCD symptoms, and with greater parental stress above and beyond the effects of OCD symptoms and depression. Finally, the PROCSI-PC was linked to self-reported disability resulting from obsessive preoccupation of parents on their child's perceived flaws. The results indicate the parent-child OC symptoms may be a prevalent source of unique distress that is especially challenging for parents.

Relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD) symptoms are characterized by obsessive doubts and preoccupation centered on the relationship (i.e., relationship-centered) or the relationship partner (i.e. partner-focused). Such obsessions often lead to significant distress and are associated with compulsive behaviors (e.g., compulsive checking and reassurance seeking) aimed at mitigating this distress. The current study examined the reciprocal relationship between partner-focused and relationship-centered obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms over time. Participants (N=141) completed measures of partner-focused and relationship-centered OC symptoms at two time points one year apart. Partner-focused symptoms were associated with a relative increase in relationship-centered symptoms one year later. Relationship-centered symptoms were associated with the persistence of partner-focused symptoms one year later, but only among individuals in long-lasting relationships. The potentially detrimental effects of ROCD symptoms within romantic relationships are discussed.

The attachment and sexual systems operate jointly across partners to affect relationship outcomes. In the present longitudinal investigation of newly dating couples, we tested a dual deactivation hypothesis of relationship dissatisfaction. According to this hypothesis, individuals whose sexual system is chronically deactivated are expected to experience low relationship satisfaction early in their relationships. Their satisfaction should increase with time, but only if their partners are low in attachment avoidance. Newly dating couples (2–4 months; N= 62) completed three waves of individual measures of attachment and sexual deactivation and relationship satisfaction in 4-month intervals. Dyadic growth curves showed that sexual deactivation was negatively associated with relationship satisfaction in the beginning of the relationship. This negative effect gradually disappeared among individuals whose partners were low in attachment avoidance, but persisted among individuals with avoidantly attached partners. These findings suggest that attachment processes can compensate for sexual difficulties.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling and prevalent disorder with a variety of clinical presentations and obsessional themes. Recently, research has begun to investigate relationship-related obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms including relationship-centered and partner-focused OC symptoms. In this paper, we present relationship obsessive–compulsive disorder (ROCD), delineate its main features, and describe its phenomenology. Drawing on recent cognitive-behavioral models of OCD, social psychology and attachment research, we present a model of the development and maintenance of ROCD. The role of personality factors, societal influences, parenting, and family environments in the etiology and preservation of ROCD symptoms is also evaluated. Finally, the conceptual and empirical links between ROCD symptoms and related constructs are explored and theoretically driven assessment and intervention procedures are suggested.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling disorder with a variety of clinical presentations. Recently, research has begun to explore relationship-centered obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, which include obsessions, checking, and reassurance seeking behaviors centered on an individual's feelings towards his or her partner and the “rightness” of their relationship. The present investigation extends previous research by examining OC symptoms focused on one's partner's perceived flaws. We report on the development and validation of the Partner-Related Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Inventory (PROCSI), a 24-item self-report scale assessing the severity of partner-focused OC symptoms in six domains: physical appearance, sociability, morality, emotional stability, intelligence and competence. The PROCSI was found to be internally consistent, and its factorial structure was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. Moreover, the PROCSI showed the expected associations with measures of OCD symptoms and cognitions, negative affect and relationship functioning, and significantly predicted depression and relationship-related distress over and above other symptom and relationship measures (Study 1). In addition, longitudinal analyses suggested reciprocal links between relationship-centered OC symptoms and partner-focused OC symptoms. Links between body dysmorphic concerns and partner-focused OC symptoms were also found (Study 2). Implications for theory and treatment are discussed.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling anxiety disorder with a wide range of clinical presentations. Previous research has examined a variety of obsessional themes within OCD including contamination fears, sexual or aggressive obsessions and scrupulosity. Absent from current literature of OCD, however, is an investigation of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms centering on intimate relationships. The present investigation reports on the development and evaluation of the Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (ROCI), a 12-item measure assessing the severity of OC symptoms centering on three relationship dimensions: the individual's feelings towards his or her partner, the partner's feelings towards the individual, and the “rightness” of the relationship experience. Factor analysis supports a 3-factor structure of the ROCI above two alternative measurement models (Study 1). The ROCI was found to be internally consistent and showed the expected associations with OCD related symptoms and cognitions, mood and relationship variables (Study 2). Moreover, the ROCI significantly predicted depression and relationship related distress, over-and-above common OCD symptoms, and other mental health and relationship insecurity measures. Relationship-centered OC symptoms may be an important theme for further OCD research.