ABSTRACT
The current study investigated: (1) the relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and four relationship adjustment variables (consensus, cohesion, affection, and satisfaction); (2) whether finding meaning in CSA and using mature defenses would predict relationship adjustment; and (3) whether meaning and mature defenses would moderate the association between CSA severity and relationship adjustment. The sample consisted of 287 undergraduate women, 95 of whom reported a history of CSA. All participants were involved in a romantic relationship at the time of the study. Results indicated a significant relationship between CSA history and dyadic consensus, whereby abused women reported less agreement with their partners than nonabused women. In the abused sample, CSA severity significantly predicted affection and mature defenses significantly predicted both affection and consensus in relationships. Furthermore, mature defenses moderated the relationship between CSA severity and dyadic cohesion (i.e., joint activities with one's partner). Contrary to hypotheses, meaning was not related to relationship adjustment and did not moderate the association between CSA severity and relationship adjustment. These findings advance the CSA literature by elucidating factors that predict healthy adjustment to CSA.
Subject(s)
Adult Survivors of Child Abuse/psychology , Child Abuse, Sexual/psychology , Sexual Behavior/psychology , Sexual Partners/psychology , Survivors/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , Adult , Adult Survivors of Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Child , Child Abuse, Sexual/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Sexual Behavior/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Survivors/statistics & numerical data , Women's Health , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Maddi et al. (Obes Surg, 7:397-404, 1997) reported significant elevations on several MMPI-2 scales in a morbidly obese population. Since the number of patients presenting for bariatric surgery has increased significantly in the decade since this study, we replicated the original Maddi et al. study to investigate if there have been any appreciable changes in these patients' psychological profiles within the past 10 years. METHODS: First, we replicated the original Maddi et al. study using the same definition of profile elevations used by these investigators. Second, we extended these findings to include a fourth classification of extremely elevated profiles. Finally, we included several measures of different emotional states/characteristics in an attempt to further delineate what these elevated profiles may actually represent. RESULTS: Our findings generally support the results of the original Maddi et al. study. Additionally, a number of significant relationships were found between our additional measures and MMPI-2 elevations. CONCLUSIONS: Many morbidly obese patients presenting for bariatric surgery have elevated MMPI-2 profiles, some of which would be considered "invalid" profiles. We recommend procedures for obtaining more valid profiles from such patients. We also urge the use of other measures in addition to the MMPI-2 to more specifically clarify the personality traits/characteristics in these patients.