Mental contamination is defined as feeling dirty, contaminated, or polluted in the absence of physical contact with an actual contaminant (Rachman, 2006). The subjective experience of pollution lacks a physical basis (Cougle et al., 2008).
This phenomenon involves sensations of internal dirtiness and urges to wash that arise from experiencing disturbing thoughts, memories, images, or experiences rather than direct contact with something perceived as contaminating (Fairbrother & Rachman, 2004).
Mental contamination provokes cleaning behaviors aimed at removing the feelings of contamination, but these are typically ineffective in reducing the persistent feelings of internal uncleanliness (Rachman, 2006).
It overlaps conceptually with physical contact contamination but is considered a distinct construct centered around internal cognitive-emotional processes rather than external pollutants.
Key Points
Rationale
Past research and clinical observations indicate that feelings of contamination can occur in OCD patients without physical contact with an actual contaminant (mental contamination).
However, there is limited systematic data on this phenomenon. Investigating mental contamination has implications forunderstanding OCDand optimizing treatment.
The purpose of this two-part study was to examine the presence of mental contamination and its relationships with contact contamination, OCD symptoms, thought-action fusion beliefs, and negative affect in people with obsessive-compulsive problems or OCD diagnosis.
Method
The studies examined the rates of clinically relevant mental contamination, the relationship between mental and contact contamination, and associations between mental contamination, psychopathology, and negative affect.
Sample
Statistical Analysis
Results
Mental contamination and its relationship with contact contamination:
Mental contamination and its relationship with OCD symptoms:
Mental contamination and its relationship with thought-action fusion beliefs:
Thought-action fusion beliefs refer to the idea that having an unacceptable thought is equivalent to carrying out the unacceptable action, or thatthinking about an event makes it more likely to actually happen.
Mental contamination and its relationship with negative affect:
Insight
This research provides the firstsystematic evidencethat mental contamination is a familiar problem for many people with OCD. The high rates of mental contamination found here contrast with the theory that contact contamination is more common.
The association between mental contamination and psychopathology variables, even when controlling for general negative affect, supports mental contamination as a distinct phenomenon requiring tailored treatment rather than just a symptom of low mood.
The finding that mental and contact contamination are related but separable constructs provides empirical backing for Rachman’s theory.
However, further research with larger and more diverse clinical samples is needed to establish mental contamination as clinically relevant across OCD presentations.
Overall, these findings pave the way for a better understanding of mental contamination in OCD and optimizing psychological treatment approaches.
Strengths
Limitations
Implications
This research highlights mental contamination as an important clinical phenomenon in OCD that may benefit from tailored treatment approaches. The findings support mental contamination as partially distinct from contact contamination and mood difficulties.
If substantiated in further studies, these results suggest mental contamination should be routinely assessed in OCD assessments. More research is needed regarding variables influencing contamination symptom profiles and presence across disorders.
Clinically, directly addressing feelings of internal dirtiness not contingent on physical contact may enhance OCD treatment outcomes when mental contamination is present.
References
Primary reference
Coughtrey, A. E., Shafran, R., Knibbs, D., & Rachman, S. J. (2012). Mental contamination in obsessive–compulsive disorder.Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders,1(4), 244-250.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2012.07.006
Other references
Cougle, J.R., Lee, H.J., Horowitz, J.D., Wolitzky-Taylor, K.B., & Telch, M.J. (2008). An exploration of the relationship between mental pollution and OCD symptoms.Journal of Behaviour Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 39,340-353.
Fairbrother, N., & Rachman, S.J. (2004). Feelings of mental pollution subsequent to sexual assault.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 42, 173-190.
Rachman, S.J. (2006).The fear of contamination: Assessment and treatment. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Radomsky, A.S, Rachman, S.J., Elliot, C., & Shafran, R. (submitted).Mental contamination: Development of measures.Manuscript submitted for publication.
Further reading
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Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
