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Cited by 32Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum DisordersClimate Change Communication and PerceptionAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 20 of the 20 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The impact of climate change on obsessive compulsive checking concerns

Open access
Jones, Mairwen K, Wootton, Bethany M, Vaccaro, Lisa D, Menzies, Ross G·2012·Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1177/0004867411433951
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Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether climate change has impacted on the nature of the obsessions or compulsions experienced by patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Methods: The sample comprised 50 patients with OCD checking subtype who had presented at the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at The University of Sydney seeking treatment during the period March 2008 to November 2009. Details of the type of obsessions and compulsions directly related to climate change phenomena were identified. Results: Fourteen of the 50 participants (28%) were identified as having OCD concerns directly related to climate change. The most frequent concerns involved electricity, water and gas wastage. Less frequent concerns included pets dying of thirst and one participant was concerned about house damage due to floors cracking, pipes leaking; roof problems and white ant activity. Compulsions included checking and rechecking pet water bowls, light switches, taps, stoves, skirting boards, pipes, roofs and wooden structures. While these behaviours are not particularly unusual for people with this condition, it was the rationale they provided for carrying them out that was surprising. Instead of checking and rechecking so as to prevent fire or flood, the rituals were specifically performed so as to reduce their global footprint, or respond to climate change-induced negative events. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that the types of obsessions and compulsions experienced by 28% of our sample were directly aligned with the current issue of climate change and the perceived dangers associated with this phenomenon. To our knowledge this represents the first documentation of the significant impact of climate change on the nature of the concerns experienced by people with OCD checking subtype. We suggest that mental health professionals need to be aware of, and assess for the presence of such concerns.

Overview

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1177/0004867411433951

Cites

20 of 20 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Claims other papers make about this one

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  • One study from Australia showed that people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) experience obsessions and compulsions directly aligned with climate change concerns.

    “One study from Australia showed that people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) experience obsessions and compulsions directly aligned with climate change concerns [67].”

    From Climate Change and Mental Health: A Scoping Review (2021) · cites this paper as [67]

Citations

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Beck AT, 1996, Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II
  2. Vaccaro L, 2010, Danger Ideation Reduction Therapy (DIRT) For Obsessive-Compulsive Checkers: A Comprehensive Guide to Treatment
  3. World Health Organization, 1997, Composite International Diagnostic Interview

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Metadata

Authors
Jones, M. K., Wootton, B. M., Vaccaro, L. D., & Menzies, R. G.
Affiliations
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
  • Macquarie University (AU)
ORCID
Venue
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2012-01-05
Volume
46
Issue
3
Pages
265-270
ISSN
  • 0004-8674 (ISSN-L)
  • 1440-1614
DOI
10.1177/0004867411433951
OpenAlex
W2112323626
Cited by
32
References
20
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 3
FWCI
1.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • EPubDev Repository (submittedVersion)
  • eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • RUNE (Research UNE) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Climate Change Communication and Perception
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
obsessive-compulsive disorder, checking compulsions, climate change, obsession, compulsive behavior, environmental concern, resource waste, climate anxiety, mental health assessment
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anxiety, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Sex Characteristics, Stress, Psychological, Climate Change

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