The OCD Project: Educational or sensational?

Authors

Lindsay Mae Miller, University of Wyoming
Brett J. Deacon, University of WollongongFollow
David P. Valentiner, Northern Illinois University

RIS ID

100725

Publication Details

Miller, L. M., Deacon, B. J. & Valentiner, D. P. (2015). The OCD Project: Educational or sensational?. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy: an international quarterly, 29 (2), 116-122.

Abstract

Ninety-two young adults were randomly assigned to watch two episodes of The OCD Project, a reality television program depicting the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder using exposure therapy, or two episodes of another reality television program (Big Brother). Participants in The OCD Project condition (n = 35) endorsed significantly fewer negative beliefs about exposure therapy than participants in the Big Brother condition (n = 42). Participants' obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms did not moderate the beneficial effects of watching The OCD Project. These results provide preliminary evidence that reality television programs can have a modest psychoeducational benefit and might be used to change attitudes about mental health problems and their treatment.