Date of Conferral

7-18-2024

Date of Award

July 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Ithuriel Gale

Abstract

Research has supported that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is frequently misdiagnosed and not treated with OCD-specific, empirically supported treatments (ESTs) by healthcare professionals, resulting in negative consequences. Empirical findings are mixed regarding what predicts this and if counselors contribute to the concerns; therefore, it is imperative to investigate this with counselors. Using a medical model framework, the purpose of this quantitative study was to (a) examine the rate of counselors in the United States accurately diagnosing OCD, (b) identify the predictors for counselors accurately diagnosing OCD, (c) examine the rate of counselors recommending OCD-specific ESTs, and (d) identify the predictors for counselors recommending OCD-specific ESTs. Online surveys were distributed to counselors. Participants (n=130) were asked to diagnose and recommend treatments after reading a case vignette depicting OCD. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses supported that 62.3% of counselors accurately diagnosed OCD and 83.8% of them recommended OCD-specific ESTs across varying subtypes. The OCD subtype predicted diagnostic accuracy, with counselors nearly six times more likely to diagnose OCD accurately in nontaboo subtypes. When counselors had a theoretical orientation that included an OCD-specific EST, they were over five times more likely to recommend an OCD-specific EST. The results supported that OCD treatment remains an issue in the field, with counselors contributing to the concerns. Implications for social change included improving public awareness, clinical practices, and training programs regarding OCD assessment and treatment.

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