Mapping the Paths from Styles of Anger Experience and Expression to Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms: The Moderating Roles of Family Cohesion and Adaptability

Abstract

Previous research has shown strong connections of anger experience and expression with obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms. Additionally, studies have demonstrated links between family environment variables and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Our study aims to integrate the perspectives from these two literatures by exploring the moderating roles of family cohesion and family adaptability in the relationship between anger proneness and suppression and OCD symptoms. A total of 2008 college students were recruited from a comprehensive university in Shanghai, China between February and May 2016. The subjects completed self-report inventories, including the Symptom Check List-90, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2 (Chinese version), and Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, second edition (Chinese Version). Controlling for age, one-child family status, ethnicity, family income, current depression, and anxiety, our analyses showed that the association between anger proneness and OC symptoms was moderated by family cohesion among men and that family adaptability moderated the connection between anger suppression and OC complaints among women. The findings imply that a more cohesive and empathic family environment may protect male students with high levels of anger proneness from developing OC behaviors or thoughts. The results suggest that for female subjects who are accustomed to suppressing angry feelings, flexible family coping strategies and communication atmospheres would reduce their vulnerability to OC symptoms. The findings are somewhat consistent with those of previous studies on psychotherapy outcomes that showed that OCD patients benefitted from psychotherapeutic interventions that cultivated the clients’ family cohesion and adaptability.

The effects of family functioning and resilience on self‐management and glycaemic control among youth with type 1 diabetes

“…The reported reliability and validity of the Chinese version were good, with Cronbach's α above 0.7 and concurrent validity above 0.80 (Liu et al, 2017). The Cronbach's α in this sample was 0.95.…”

“…The total score ranged from 42–162 points, with higher scores indicating better family functioning. The reported reliability and validity of the Chinese version were good, with Cronbach's α above 0.7 and concurrent validity above 0.80 (Liu et al, ). The Cronbach's α in this sample was 0.95.…”

“…We used the Chinese version of the FACES II to measure family functioning. The original scale was developed in English (Olson, ) and then translated and revised for use with Chinese people (Liu, Liu, & Zhao, ). The 30 items in the Chinese version include two subscales: adaptability and cohesion.…”

An ecological resilience model for adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a cross-sectional study

“…The Chinese version of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales II (FACES II) was used to measure family functioning [ 25 ]. The scale contained 30 items in two dimensions: adaptability and cohesion.…”

The Relationship Between Family Cohesion and Self-efficacy of Different Grades College Students in Mainland China

“…Research showed that a more cohesive family could help male college students alleviated the relationship between irritability and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In contrast, for female college students, family cohesion (flexible family coping strategies and communication atmosphere) could help them alleviate the relationship between suppressed anger and OCD symptoms [12]. In addition, high-level family cohesion may promote subjective well-being through high-level self-concept clarity and hope [13].…”