Sexual Orientation Intrusive Thoughts and Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Psychological Inflexibility

Abstract

Sexual orientation intrusive thoughts are a debilitating form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The present study aimed to elucidate how psychological inflexibility and dysfunctional beliefs may impact the relationships of sexual orientation intrusive thoughts and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms with well-being. A total of 181 undergraduate students completed measures of sexual orientation intrusive thoughts, OC symptoms, psychological inflexibility, dysfunctional beliefs, and well-being. Results indicated positive correlations between psychological inflexibility, sexual orientation intrusive thoughts, dysfunctional beliefs, and OC symptoms, along with negative correlations between well-being and sexual orientation intrusive thoughts, OC symptoms, dysfunctional beliefs, and psychological inflexibility. Psychological inflexibility acted as a mediator between sexual orientation intrusive thoughts and well-being and between OC symptoms and well-being. Dysfunctional beliefs were not a significant mediator. These results suggest that psychological inflexibility may partially explain the association between OC symptoms and well-being, pointing toward the need for future research on the impact of psychological inflexibility on well-being in the context of OC symptoms.