Thought-action fusion mediates the relation between inflated responsibility and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in China: A cross-sectional structural equation model

•This study examines a cognitive model of OC symptoms in China.•TAF-L mediated the relation between inflated responsibility and OC symptoms in the Chinese sample.•TAF-M has less effect on OC symptoms in the Chinese sample.•Cultural factors may play a role in the development and maintenance of OC symptoms.

The present study tested a Western a cognitive model of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms in China, that thought-action fusion (TAF) could mediate the relation between inflated responsibility and OC symptoms, which in turn would be associated with general distress. A cross-sectional sample of 622 Chinese undergraduates and postgraduates completed a battery of measures on inflated responsibility, TAF, OC symptoms, anxiety and depression. Results suggested good fit for the mediation model. However, only one type of TAF-TAF-Likelihood-emerged as a mediator. This was not the case for the other type, called TAF-Morality. These findings suggest that this specific Western cognitive model of OCD may generalize to China, although there may be subtle appraisal differences based on culture.