Transdiagnostic Compulsive Behaviour: A Multidimensional Investigation into the Affective Processes underlying Maladaptive Repetitive Behaviours.

Compulsivity is a poorly understood transdiagnostic construct, thought to underlie many maladaptive, repetitive behaviours including those related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as substance and behavioural addictions. This thesis showed that compulsive behaviours can be conceptualised as maladaptive attempts to regulate distressing emotions and that disruptions to the neurobiological affective systems with the brain may make people more vulnerable to compulsivity. This new knowledge contributed to our understanding of what causes compulsivity and thus, how it can be treated and prevented.