[French validation of the Acceptance of Modern Myths about Sexual Aggression scale (AMMSA) and experience of close relationships with students and perpetrators of domestic violence]. / Validation française de l'échelle de l'adhésion aux mythes modernes sur l'agression sexuelle (AMMSA) et attachement au partenaire auprès d'étudiants et d'auteurs de violence conjugale.

INTRODUCTION: Acceptance of the rape myths (ARM) refers to a set of attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes that tend to make women responsible for rapes or sexual assaults, and to rationalize, minimize or justify the behaviors of sexual offenders. ARM can also promote intimate partner violence (spousal rape). Domestic violence is generally associated with an insecure attachment style (avoidant or ambivalent) in both perpetrators and victims. The attachment insecurity of perpetrators of spousal violence can favor the use of violence against partners. The perpetrators also have a tendency to attribute the responsibility of their acts to their partners. Gerger, Kley, Bohner and Siebler (2007) developed the "Acceptance of Modern Myths about Sexual Aggression Scale" to measure the ARM in a more subtle way, in particular by reducing social desirability bias. The aim of this study is both to explore the psychometric qualities of the French version of the AMMSA and to study the relationships between the ARM, attachment styles and spousal violence in young adults and perpetrators of domestic violence (with the hypothesis that the latter have a greater ARM and a more insecure attachment style with the intimate partner). METHODS: Participants. The participants (n=275) were divided into two samples: sample 1 comprised 243 French psychology students and psychiatry residents, mean age 26.94years (±4.06years, range 19 to 38), with 79 % females (173 women and 50 men). The majority (69%) were in a relationship, and their level of study ranged from 13th grade to 19th grade; sample 2 comprised 32 men treated in a therapy center for perpetrators of spousal violence (in the "Centre-Val-de-Loire" region in France). They had a mean age of 40.84years (±11.06years, range 22 to 61). The majority (59%) was in a relationship and their level of study ranged from 5th grade to 18th grade (mean level=11). INSTRUMENTS: To measure the ARM Myths, we used the AMMSA, which is composed of 30 items structured into a single overarching factor. To assess the styles of attachment to the partner, we used the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) scale, which comprises 36 items structured in two dimensions: (i) attachment-related anxiety, and (ii) attachment-related avoidance in the couple. The tools were self-administered. Students completed the questionnaire via the Internet using the Sphinx software during an online survey. Clinical subjects completed the questionnaire in their therapy center. All participants were volunteers and gave their informed consent before anonymously completing the paper or online self-assessment questionnaire. RESULTS: We carried out a principal components factor analysis using Varimax rotation on the data obtained from the answers to the 30 items of the AMMSA of all respondents. The analysis identified a single factor with an eigenvalue of 9.04 and which explained more than 30% of the total variance. This factor saturated (>0.30) 29 of the 30 items of the AMMSA, and the Cronbach alpha (which assesses internal consistency) was 0.91. The comparison of AMMSA scores between the clinical group (men with a history of spousal abuse) and male and female students showed differences, while there were no significant gender differences in the non-clinical group. The mean level of insecurity of attachment to the partner was also higher for the men in the clinical group than those in the non-clinical group (students). Results found correlations between the ARM and ECR for attachment-related anxiety in the non-clinical group (both men and women), a weak and negative correlation between age and attachment-related anxiety, and a correlation between age and AMMSA only for women. DISCUSSION: The results concerning the qualities of the AMMSA are consistent with previous work. In addition, perpetrators of spousal violence have a stronger ARM. The links between (a) older age and a low level of education and (b) the ARM have already been highlighted. However, psychology students and psychiatry residents are probably more likely than others to develop pro-social, egalitarian, sensitive and tolerant attitudes, and therefore to be less in touch with rape myths. Both men and women have sexist representations and acceptance of the rape myths. The ARM is associated with common negative gender stereotypes, notably ambivalent sexism (with its two dimensions: hostile and benevolent sexism). This study has limitations linked both to the small clinical sample and the recruitment of non-clinical subjects from psychological and medical academic fields (with a specialty in psychiatry). Nonetheless, it is also one of the interests of this study to show that the ARM concerns everyone, including students, regardless of their academic or professional orientation. CONCLUSION: The AMMSA, which has been validated in different languages and in different contexts, has always shown good psychometric qualities. This French adaptation shows the same characteristics in terms of unifactorial structure, saturation of scale items and internal consistency. Further studies are needed to confirm external validity and test-retest reliability. It would also be desirable to conduct studies with larger and more representative samples. The AMMSA could be an excellent prevention tool by raising awareness of the continuing extent of negative gender stereotypes, violence against women and rape myths.

Suicidal Ideation among French Adolescents: Separation Anxiety and Attachment according to Sex.

The present study explored the links between the quality of adolescents' attachment to their mother and their father, separation anxiety and suicidal ideation. Self-report questionnaires were completed by French adolescents (n = 455; Mage = 15.78 years, SD = 1.61) to probe their attachment styles, separation anxiety (related to school phobia, a secure base, and family members), and suicidal ideation. Avoidantly attached adolescents displayed greater school phobia than securely attached adolescents. Female adolescents with an avoidant attachment to their father tended to report less fear related to family members than their secure counterparts. Male adolescents who were insecurely attached to their mother reported more separation anxiety than securely attached males. The structural models were significant for both boys and girls (R2 = .38 and .44, p < .001) with good fit indices. Mediation analyses revealed that separation anxiety partially mediated the negative effect of attachment to mother (especially alienation) on suicidal ideation for both girls and boys, and partially mediated the negative effect of attachment to father (especially alienation) on suicidal ideation for boys. These results support an individuated conception of attachment patterns, with a differential influence of dyadic relationships, and could provide a better understanding of adolescents' suicidal ideation.

[Personality profiles of students at risk of dropping out: Resilients, Overcontrollers and Undercontrollers]. / Étudiants à risque de décrochage selon le profil de personnalité : Resilients, Overcontrollers et Undercontrollers.

INTRODUCTION: Preventing students from dropping out of higher education, and particularly university, requires understanding the different factors that can lead to individuals failing to complete their studies. The role of personality in academic success or failure remains poorly understood. Block's personality profile model (Resilients, Overcontrollers, Undercontrollers) has been used to link personality traits to academic performance. The objective of this study is to apply this model to the risk factors of dropping out of higher education courses, including psychological vulnerability, level of autonomy, and the feeling of not being able to keep up. This involved validating Block's profiles in relation to the Big Five personality traits (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism and Openness), and their links with the risk factors for dropping out. METHODS: This study is based on a quantitative survey of 196 students (mean age 21.32 years±3.11 years, with 63% females) taking higher education courses in France. Three measuring instruments were used: a French scale of Autonomy-situnomy, the French version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI-Fr) for personality traits, and the French version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) for psychiatric morbidity. One item empirically evaluated the feeling of not being able to keep up. Data was processed using a k-average cluster analysis to establish the personality profiles, then by analysis of variance measures to evaluate the differences between them, and Bravais-Pearson correlation coefficient to identify links between risk factors and profiles. RESULTS: Conscientiousness (Control) was the trait most strongly associated with high autonomy and a low feeling of not being able to keep up. There was also a positive influence of Extraversion and Agreeableness on autonomy. On the other hand, Neuroticism scores were related to greater psychiatric morbidity, a greater feeling of not keeping up, and lower autonomy. The results for personality profiles confirm the stability of Block's profiles (Resilients, Overcontrollers and Undercontrollers) and their relevance in higher education contexts. Resilients and Overcontrollers had greater autonomy and a lower feeling of not keeping up, but Resilients had the lowest psychiatric morbidity. Undercontrollers were associated with the greatest risk factors: lowest autonomy, the highest psychiatric morbidity and the strongest feeling of not keeping up. Gender comparisons indicated that women were more affected by psychiatric morbidity, but had higher Conscientiousness and autonomy.

[Pubertal maturation, physical self-esteem and sexuality in a sample of French adolescents]. / Influence de la maturation pubertaire et de l'estime de soi corporelle sur la sexualité à l'adolescence.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the links between pubertal maturation, physical self-esteem and sexuality in adolescence, differentiating between boys and girls. METHOD: The sample was comprised of 312 French secondary school children (seventh and ninth grades); 52.6 % (n=164) of whom were girls. Participants answered three self-evaluation questionnaires: the scale of sexuality (interests, emotions, relationships: IERS) in prime adolescence (12 to 15 years); (b) the self-administered rating scale for pubertal development and (c) the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ). RESULTS: Pubertal maturation was associated with higher scores on "Flirting with the aim of having sexual relations" and "Going out with someone", and a drop in overall and physical self-esteem, mainly in socially valued domains, namely "Body fat" for girls, and "Strength" and "Health" for boys. Overall physical self-esteem was associated with "Going out with someone" and "Flirting with the aim of having sexual relations" in boys. DISCUSSION: Physical changes at puberty induce two distinct trends in adolescents: sexual exploration and discovery (genitalized body), and self-depreciation (social body).

Orthognathic surgery improves quality of life and depression, but not anxiety, and patients with higher preoperative depression scores improve less.

This study assessed quality of life (QoL), depression, and anxiety before and after orthognathic surgery and identified risk factors for poorer postoperative outcome. This multicentre prospective study included 140 patients from five French medical centres. We assessed patients before surgery (T1), 3 months after surgery (T2), and 12 months after surgery (T3). We assessed the severity of the orofacial deformity, physical, psychological, social, and environmental QoL (WHOQOL-BREF), and depression and anxiety (GHQ-28). Risk factors for poorer outcome were identified using linear mixed models. Between baseline and 12 months, there was significant improvement in psychological and social QoL and in depression (although below the norms reported in the general population), but not in anxiety. Physical QoL was poorer in patients who were younger, who had a mild orofacial deformity, and who were depressed. Psychological QoL was poorer in younger patients and in depressed patients. Social QoL was poorer in patients who were single, who had a mild orofacial deformity, and who were depressed. Although orthognathic surgery provides a moderate improvement in psychological and social QoL, the systematic screening and treatment of depression could further improve QoL after surgery because it is a major predictor of poor QoL in this population.

[Psychological effects of orthognatic surgery and postoperative dissatisfaction: presentation of a research protocol]. / Effets psychologiques de la chirurgie orthognatique et insatisfaction postopératoire : présentation d'un protocole de recherche.

INTRODUCTION: The causes of postoperative dissatisfaction in orthognathic surgery are difficult to grasp. The aims of our study are to analyze the effects of orthognathic surgery on self-esteem, body image, psychological morbidity, and quality of life. We also want to assess the combined effects of these factors on postoperative dissatisfaction, and to study the interest of personality assessment (especially neuroticism) as a predictive factor of dissatisfaction. METHOD: Three hundred patients candidates for maxillo-mandibular osteotomy will be included in the study. They will answer a questionnaire assessing self-esteem, body image, psychological morbidity, quality of life, and personality. The evaluation will be conducted preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 months and at 1 year. The degree of satisfaction will be measured postoperatively. EXPECTED RESULTS: The results should help evaluate the psychological effects of orthognathic surgery and identify predictors of postoperative dissatisfaction, and especially the role of neuroticism.

[Validation of a scale of sexuality (interests, emotions, relationships: IERS) in prime adolescence (12 to 15 years)]. / Validation d'une échelle de sexualité (intérêts, émotions, relations : IERS) à la prime adolescence (12 à 15ans).

BACKGROUND: Early adolescence, which we also call prime adolescence, is marked by the transformations of puberty and the sexualisation of the body, changes in cognition and the progressive involvement in sexuality. This study is the continuation of an earlier work dealing with the construction and validation of a questionnaire on sexuality during adolescence (Courtois et al., 1998) [8]. METHODS: Population. The sample was composed of 312 middle-school students (7 to 9(th) grade) from four middle-schools in Tours and its suburbs (Indre-et-Loire, France): 164 girls (52.6%) and 148 boys (47.4%); with a mean age of 13.8 (S.D.=1.02; from 10.7 to 16.9) (without significant differences between boys and girls). Material. The material was composed of 22 items calling for true or false answers and including 13 items from the initial questionnaire by Courtois et al. (1998) [7,8] structured in three dimensions ("Behavioral engagement in sexuality", "Love and fidelity" and "Taste for flirting"). Procedure. The study was carried out in 2008 in the classroom (anonymity guaranteed). RESULTS: The results of the factorial analysis (as the main component and by the method which maximizes variance, Varimax) made it possible to find three factors which explain 41% of total variance: "Going out with someone" (value of 4.6, explaining 21% of the total variance); "Giving priority to love" (value of 2.8 explaining 13% of the variance); "Flirting with the aim of having sexual relations" (value of 1.6 explaining 7% of variance). The Cronbach alphas are 0.79, 0.70 and 0.66 respectively. The first and third factors are correlated. In order to obtain a shorter final instrument and to favor the orthogonality between factors, we only retained the items which are strongly saturated by the factors (>0.50). A confirmatory analysis revealed the good adequation of the model retained (Chi(2): 162, 87 dof, P<0.001; Goodness of fitness index [GFI] of Joreskog: 0.91; Root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.05). Following these analyses, we are able to propose a shorter questionnaire (15 items), structured in three dimensions of sexuality significant in prime adolescence (in accordance with interests, emotions and relationships). The analyses were conducted according to gender and age. There is no significant difference for "Going out with someone" between boys and girls. On the other hand, there is a difference between "Giving priority to love", which is more important for girls (P<0.05) and for "Flirting with the aim of having sexual relations", more important for boys (P<0.001). However, as ages increase, we notice a rise in scores for "Going out with someone" for girls as well as for boys (P<0.05); a drop in scores for "Giving priority to love" (for girls, (P<0.05) and an increase in the scores for "Flirting with the aim of having sexual relations" (only for boys (p<0.05). DISCUSSION: This study allowed us to validate a scale of sexuality in prime adolescence that presents good psychometric qualities. It was carried out on a larger and more representative sample of this period than the initial study, although essentially finding the same results as previously. Thus, the use of this scale, coupled or not with the individual analysis of the items which make it up, could allow us to understand sexuality in prime adolescence in three significant dimensions of psychosexual development, as well as regarding risky sexuality, i.e., an excessive interest in genital sexuality, behavioral involvement and precocious sexual relations or an absence of feelings.

The influence of peers on risky sexual behaviour during adolescence.

OBJECTIVES: To determine to what degree the predominance of risky sexual behaviour during adolescence is the result of social influence, in particular that of peers, according to the perception of their attitudes and sexual behaviour. METHODS: Data were collected through structured and confidential individual interviews with 100 adolescents, selected randomly from among 1467 students attending one French high school. RESULTS: Although this study is of an exploratory nature, it reveals that the perception of peers is associated with a higher frequency of sexual initiation and commitment, including oral sex, but also commitment to protected sex. Sexual permissiveness of peers is associated with a higher frequency of sexual practices considered risky. The attitudes of peers with regard to contraception are associated with protective contraceptive attitudes, without a direct influence on behavioural patterns. CONCLUSIONS: The sexual norms of peers influence youths' individual attitudes and behaviours. Gender differences in sexual socialization also play a role. Both aspects must be taken into account when devising prevention programmes concerning adolescent sexuality.