Research Article
When religion and obsessive–compulsive disorder collide: Treating scrupulosity in ultra-orthodox Jews
Jonathan D. Huppert,
Jedidiah Siev, Elyssa S. Kushner,
Corresponding Author
Jonathan D. Huppert
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel 91905Search for more papers by this authorElyssa S. Kushner
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Search for more papers by this authorJonathan D. Huppert,
Jedidiah Siev, Elyssa S. Kushner,
Corresponding Author
Jonathan D. Huppert
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel 91905Search for more papers by this authorElyssa S. Kushner
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Evidence-based practice suggests that clinicians should integrate the best available research with clinical judgment and patient values. Treatment of religious patients with scrupulosity provides a paradigmatic example of such integration. The purpose of this study is to describe potential adaptations to make exposure and response prevention, the first-line treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder, acceptable and consistent with the values of members of the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. We believe that understanding these challenges will enhance the clinician's ability to increase patient motivation and participation in therapy and thereby provide more effective treatment for these and other religious patients. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 63: 925–941, 2007.
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