Thought–action fusion: Structure and specificity to OCD

• Extant data as to structure and OCD-specificity of TAFS are mixed.
• 3-Factor TAFS solution was supported for both clinical and nonclinical samples.
• TAFS likelihood-others and likelihood-self predicted OCD symptoms beyond OBQ-44.
• TAFS likelihood-others and moral were relatively specific to OCD symptoms.
• TAFS likelihood-self correlated similarly with OCD and other symptoms.

At a general level of abstraction, thought–action fusion (TAF) concerns the idea that thoughts have a tangible impact on reality or one's sense of morality. Borne of the obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) literature, TAF shows empirical relations with symptoms of other psychological disorders, suggesting it is not confined to OCD and may be of broader importance. This study addressed three issues. First, it examined the structure of the thought–action fusion scale (TAFS) in clinical and nonclinical samples. A 3-factor solution consisting of likelihood-others, likelihood-self, and moral was supported in both samples. Second, this study examined the range of TAF content assessed by the 44-item Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ). Regressions predicting OCD symptoms indicated that TAFS Moral content was accounted for by the OBQ; conversely, TAFS Likelihood-self and TAFS Likelihood-others accounted for significant additional variance. Third, this study examined the specificity of TAF to OCD symptoms versus symptoms of other disorders. TAFS Moral and TAFS Likelihood-others more strongly correlated with OCD symptoms compared to other symptoms; conversely, TAFS Likelihood-self did not demonstrate such specificity. These findings are discussed in terms of advancing our understanding of the construct of TAF and the instruments available for assessing it in both clinical and research contexts.