Theories of parcopresis

Despite the paucity of research, it is currently known that parcopresis contains cognitive and behavioural processes such as fear of negative evaluation and avoidance behaviours. Parcopresis has found to share similarities with paruresis, as both conditions are associated with a difficulty or inability to use the restroom. Furthermore, recent research by Kuoch, Meyer, Austin, and Knowles identified that parcopresis shares psychosocial processes, such a fear of negative and positive evaluations, known to be associated with paruresis and social anxiety.

Recent research into parcopresisby Kuoch and colleagues identified that just like paruresis, the extended bivalent fear of evaluation model of social anxiety can be used to explain parcopresis symptoms. Based on the work by Kuoch and colleagues the cognitive-behavioural theory of parcopresis has the strongest evidence base. According to this model, parcopresis is due to the interaction of unhelpful thinking patterns (e.g., thoughts about being negatively evaluated by others) and behaviour (avoidance of restrooms leading to increasing levels of anxiety).