The Correlation of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms with Interpersonal Problems in Male Students: The Mediating Role of Empathy and Self-Compassion.

Background: Individuals with obsessive-compulsive symptoms often face interpersonal challenges and impaired social functioning. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and interpersonal issues in adolescents, highlighting the mediating role of empathy and self-compassion. Methods: In this study, a cross-sectional correlational design was adopted using a serial path analysis model. The statistical population comprised all male senior high school students, aged 15 to 18 years, in Mashhad, Iran, during the 2022-2023 academic year. Through the multistage cluster random sampling method, 597 students were selected. Data were collected using Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV), Interpersonal Problems Questionnaire (IIP-32), Self-Compassion Scale for Youth (SCS-Y), Empathy Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (EmQue-CA) and analyzed with SPSS version 26 and PROCESS macro. Results: Path analysis showed a significant direct correlation between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and interpersonal problems (β=0.22, P