# Characterizing the Multidimensional Relationship Between Spirituality and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Thematic Analysis

## TL;DR

This study explores how spirituality and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) influence each other through an analysis of online forum messages.

## Contribution

The study identifies two central themes in the interplay between spirituality and OCD, offering new qualitative insights.

## Key findings

- Spirituality can influence how OCD symptoms manifest in individuals.
- OCD can affect a person's relationship with their spirituality.

## Abstract

To elucidate the complex relationship between spirituality and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), we performed a qualitative analysis of messages (n=225) referencing spiritualities in r/OCD, a public online peer support forum for people with OCD with over 250,000 users; two central themes emerged: (1) influence of spirituality on OCD symptom manifestation and (2) impact of OCD on relationship with spirituality.