Relationship and partner-focused obsessive-compulsive symptoms (ROCD) represent an emerging field in clinical psychology, referring to intrusive doubts and preoccupations concerning one's romantic relationship (r-OCD) or perceived attributes of one's partner (p-OCD). Previous findings suggest that cognitive vulnerabilities such as perfectionism (PERF) and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) contribute to the onset and persistence of these symptoms. However, research often examines r-OCD and p-OCD together or focuses on only one dimension. Despite evidence that these symptom clusters may differ in their underlying risk factors, studies clarifying which cognitive factors are specific to r-OCD and which to p-OCD remain limited. To address this gap, the present study investigated which subdimensions of IU and PERF are most strongly associated with r-OCD and p-OCD, and in what ways they diverge.
The non-clinical sample comprised 290 individuals from Turkey (aged 18-58) who were in a romantic relationship. Data were collected through convenience sampling, and the study employed a cross-sectional design. Multivariate General Linear Modeling (GLM) was used to examine which IU and PERF subdimensions predicted the two ROCD dimensions. Results indicated that doubts about actions (PERF) predicted both r-OCD and p-OCD symptoms. However, IU subdimensions showed differentiation: r-OCD was predicted by perceiving uncertainty as stressful and by negative self-appraisals about uncertainty, whereas p-OCD was predicted by perceiving uncertainty as an obstacle to action.
Findings highlight distinct cognitive risk factors for r-OCD and p-OCD. r-OCD appears more closely linked to uncertainty about emotions and relationship evaluation, while p-OCD is tied to decision-making and behavioral inhibition under uncertainty. Clinically, these results emphasize the need to tailor interventions accordingly. Addressing anxiety and negative appraisals of uncertainty may be particularly useful in r-OCD, while strengthening tolerance for indecision and action-related difficulties may benefit p-OCD. Perfectionistic doubts about actions also represent a shared therapeutic target to alleviate ROCD symptoms.