Assessing beliefs about the consequences of not just right experiences: Psychometric properties of the Not Just Right Experience-Sensitivity Scale (NJRE-SS)
Corresponding Author
Gabriele Melli
Institute for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy of Florence, Florence, Italy
Correspondence
Gabriele Melli, PsyD, Institute for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy of Florence, Via Mannelli, 139-50132 Florence, Italy.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorRichard Moulding
Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing Research, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCamilla Puccetti
Institute for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy of Florence, Florence, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorAntonio Pinto
Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy Center, Naples, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorLaura Caccico
Institute for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy of Florence, Florence, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorMarta Joanna Drabik
Institute for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy of Florence, Florence, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Gabriele Melli
Institute for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy of Florence, Florence, Italy
Correspondence
Gabriele Melli, PsyD, Institute for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy of Florence, Via Mannelli, 139-50132 Florence, Italy.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorRichard Moulding
Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing Research, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCamilla Puccetti
Institute for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy of Florence, Florence, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorAntonio Pinto
Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy Center, Naples, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorLaura Caccico
Institute for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy of Florence, Florence, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorMarta Joanna Drabik
Institute for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy of Florence, Florence, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Although current cognitive conceptualizations of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) emphasize that rituals are performed in order to avoid overtly threatening outcomes, it has also been noted that there are individuals for whom the attempt to correct “not just right experiences” (NJREs) rather than dangerous outcomes per se appear important. This article examines the idea that individuals have differing tolerances for—or sensitivity to—NJREs, in a similar manner as occurs regarding for other experience such as the distinction between disgust propensity and disgust sensitivity. In Study 1, using a nonclinical Italian sample, the NJRE-Sensitivity Scale (NJRE-SS) was created and refined. Its final version consisted of eight items loading on two subscales—an intolerance of NJREs due to their perceived interference with cognitive tasks and due to their interference with enjoyment of life. In Study 2, the factor structured was confirmed in a separate sample. The measure was found to have convergent validity with related measures including a separate measure assessing the severity and frequency of NJREs themselves. However, the NJRE-SS predicted OCD symptoms over-and-above the general NJRE measure, with particularly the interference with cognitive tasks subscale being of importance. Clinical implications are discussed.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
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