[Religious obsessions and religiosity].

Authors :: Khoubila A
Kadri N
Source :: Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie [Can J Psychiatry] 2010 Jul; Vol. 55 (7), pp. 458-63.
Publication Year :: 2010
Abstract: Objective: To assess the prevalence of religious obsessions in a general psychiatry setting, review sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with religious obsessions, and explore the relation between these obsessions and religiosity.<br />Method: In a general psychiatry setting (n = 1500), we have studied patients with an obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and then in this sample, we have identified those who also had religious obsessions.<br />Results: OCD was found in 9.6% (n = 144) of patients. Religious obsessions are the most common and were found in 31.3% (n = 45) of patients in this group. Forty-five subjects (n = 45) with religious obsessions were compared with 99 subjects (n = 99) with other types of obsessions. The total number of obsessions is significantly higher in patients with religious obsessions. Patients with religious obsessions have a significantly higher score at the religiosity scale.<br />Conclusion: These results suggest that religious obsessions are common in patients with OCD, and that they are associated with religiosity.