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Personality Profiles in Abused Women Receiving Psychotherapy According to the Existence of Childhood Abuse

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Abstract

This study explores the personality profiles and the influence of childhood abuse on personality profiles of a group of 142 female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) who attended a specialized, free care, public outpatient psychological care service in Spain. Characteristics of the abuse were obtained through a semi-structured interview, and personality profiles were assessed using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (Millon, 1983/1999), validated for the Spanish population. Results revealed that most of the women showed elevations on the basic personality scales, especially on the Dependent, Avoidant, Self-defeating, and Compulsive scales. Women who suffered childhood abuse presented greater elevations in Avoidant, Antisocial, Passive-Aggressive, Self-defeating, and Borderline scales. The importance of studying the effects of violence in intimate relationships in order to analyze prevention and intervention strategies is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain

    Montse Davins-Pujols, Carles Pérez-Testor, Manel Salamero-Baró & Josep A. Castillo-Garayoa

  2. Vidal i Barraquer Institute for Mental Health, Sant Gervasi de Cassoles, 88-90, 08022, Barcelona, Spain

    Montse Davins-Pujols

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  1. Montse Davins-Pujols
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  2. Carles Pérez-Testor
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  3. Manel Salamero-Baró
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  4. Josep A. Castillo-Garayoa
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Correspondence to Montse Davins-Pujols.

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Montse Davins-Pujols, Vidal i Barraquer Institute for Mental Health, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain; Carles Pérez-Testor, Vidal i Barraquer Institute for Mental Health and Department of Psychology, Education and Sports, Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain; Manel Salamero-Baró, Vidal i Barraquer Institute for Mental Health, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain; and Josep A. Castillo-Garayoa, Department of Psychology, Education and Sports, Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain

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Davins-Pujols, M., Pérez-Testor, C., Salamero-Baró, M. et al. Personality Profiles in Abused Women Receiving Psychotherapy According to the Existence of Childhood Abuse. J Fam Viol 27, 87–96 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-011-9407-z

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