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Personality Profiles in a Group of Battered Women: Clinical and Care Implications

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Abstract

Personality patterns, psychopathological symptomatology, dyadic relationship adjustment, and the characteristics of abuse suffered by a sample of women who attended residential services for battered women in Barcelona (Spain) are evaluated in this study. Over half the women had suffered psychological, physical, and sexual abuse on the part of her partner, mostly of long duration, and this had also been suffered by their children. The results obtained using the MCMI-II show a relatively low presence of anxious or depressive symptomatology and the predominance of a schizoid personality pattern. This means that clinical efforts need to be directed towards countering emotional withdrawal and social isolation. The importance of studying interpersonal patterns amongst battered women with a view to optimizing care and to preventing future victimization is also discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the Institut Català de la Dona (U/01-6, Government of Catalonia) and Departament d’Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació (2001FI 00522).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vidal i Barraquer Institute for Mental Health, Ramon Llull University, St. Gervasi de Cassoles, 88-90, 08022, Barcelona, Spain

    Carles Pérez-Testor, Josep A. Castillo, Manel Salamero & Marta San-Martino

  2. Faculty of Psychology Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain

    Carles Pérez-Testor, Josep A. Castillo & Montserrat Davins

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  1. Carles Pérez-Testor
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  2. Josep A. Castillo
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  3. Montserrat Davins
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  4. Manel Salamero
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  5. Marta San-Martino
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Correspondence to Carles Pérez-Testor.

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Pérez-Testor, C., Castillo, J.A., Davins, M. et al. Personality Profiles in a Group of Battered Women: Clinical and Care Implications. J Fam Viol 22, 73–80 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-006-9057-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-006-9057-8

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