Intimate Relationships and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Investigating the Application of an Integrative Couples Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of a couple-based intervention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The approach was integrative and utilized a previously established therapeutic protocol known as Systemic-Constructivist Couples Therapy (SCCT). In the present study, SCCT was modified to include elements of cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure and response prevention as is typically delivered for individuals who suffer from OCD. Twelve couples completed the study, and each received seven, 2-hour sessions of therapy. A number of different outcome measures were explored in the present study. We were interested in examining the impact of the intervention on OCD symptomatology as well as partner accommodation and relationship functioning. In addition, we were interested in looking at the interventions impact on a construct known as We-ness, or the degree to which a partner has integrated their relationship into their personal identity. Multilevel modeling was conducted to examine change over time. The results indicated that OCD symptomatology decreased significantly over time. In addition, We-ness, or partners identification with the relationship, increased significantly over time. However, the present study failed to show significant changes in relationship functioning overall. As well, there did not appear to be a significant reduction in accommodation behaviours by intimate partners. Taken together, the present study suggests that couples-based interventions for the treatment of OCD are effective and feasible. While the findings of the present study were mixed, overall they point to the importance of continuing to examine couple dynamics in dyads where one partner has OCD.