Autogenous/reactive obsessions and their relationship with negative self-inferences

• We examined which type of obsessions is more strongly associated with negative self-inferences.
• Autogenous obsessions are closely related to negative self-inferences.
• Reactive obsessions are not associated with negative self-inferences.

It has been suggested that most obsessions are prone to induce negative inferences about the self. We, however, propose that autogenous obsessions are more closely related to negative self-inferences than reactive obsessions are. We examined which type of obsessions is more strongly associated with negative self-inferences using the Intrusion Related Self Inference Scale (IRSIS; Ferrier & Brewin (2005). Behaviour Research and Therapy, 43(10), 1363–1374). We also examined which type of obsessions is more likely to result in guilt, a type of self-conscious emotion that is known to be closely related to negative self-inferences, and to be followed by specific neutralization strategies designed to protect one's self-worth. The results showed that individuals primarily displaying autogenous obsessions scored higher on the IRSIS than those primarily displaying reactive obsessions. Moreover, individuals with autogenous obsessions were found to experience more feelings of guilt over their mental intrusions than those with reactive obsessions, and neutralizations designed to protect their self-worth were mainly reported by those with autogenous obsessions. Our data suggest that autogenous obsessions are more closely associated with negative self-inferences than reactive obsessions are.