Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the role of distress tolerance and Experiential avoidance in predicting symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder in psychiatric patients.
Methods: This 2025 study employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population included all patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who referred to neuropsychiatric centers in Babol, Iran. A sample of 120 patients was selected using purposive sampling. The research instruments included the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (EAQ), and Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis in SPSS version 26, with a significance level of 0. 05.
Results: The results showed that there was a negative and significant relationship between distress tolerance and the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, such that with increasing distress tolerance, the severity of symptoms decreased. Also, a positive and significant relationship was observed between experiential avoidance and the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, such that an increase in experiential avoidance was associated with an increase in symptoms. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the model was significant (F = 79.34, p < 0.001). The predictor variables explained 58% of the variance in obsessive-compulsive symptom severity (R² = 0.58; Adjusted R² = 0.57).
Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that distress tolerance and experiential avoidance play an important role in explaining the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and, as modifiable psychological factors, can be considered in the prevention and improvement of this disorder.