Lise Laporte

The Ecology of Adolescent Dating Aggression: Attitudes, Relationships, Media Use, and Socio-Demographic Risk Factors

Using an ecological systems perspective, 627 Canadian adolescents (297 boys, 330 girls) with romantic partners were evaluated longitudinally to determine how risks across multiple contexts (individual, relationship, sociocultural or popular media, socio-demographic) collectively contribute to dating aggression. Two models were tested. The results indicated that risks at all ecological levels are predictive of dating aggression and they highlight the influence of aggressive media use, especially among ethnic minority youth. The results also demonstrated the intervening importance of violence-tolerant attitudes in the longitudinal links between the more distal influence of aggressive media use and dating aggression. Overall, the results provide support for the emerging view of adolescent dating aggression as multidetermined by risk factors located within all levels of influence.

PSYCHOPATHOLOGY, CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, AND PERSONALITY TRAITS IN PATIENTS WITH BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER AND THEIR SISTERS

The aim of this study was to document and compare adverse childhood experiences, and personality profiles in women with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and their sisters, and to determine how these factors impact current psychopathology. Fifty-six patients with BPD and their sisters were compared on measures assessing psychopathology, personality traits, and childhood adversities. Most sisters showed little evidence of psychopathology. Both groups reported dysfunctional parent-child relationships and a high prevalence of childhood trauma. Subjects with BPD reported experiencing more emotional abuse and intrafamilial sexual abuse, but more similarities than differences between probands and sisters were found. In multilevel analyses, personality traits of affective instability and impulsivity predicted DIB-R scores and SCL-90-R scores, above and beyond trauma. There were few relationships between childhood adversities and other measures of psychopathology. Sensitivity to adverse experiences, as reflected in the development of psychopathology, appears to be influenced by personality trait profiles.

Recollections of parental bonding among women with borderline personality disorder as compared with women with anorexia nervosa and a control group

In this study, we investigated the behaviour of parents of women with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and anorexia nervosa (AN) with the three-factor Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Thirty-five women with BPD, 34 with AN, and 33 without any psychiatric illness (NC) scored each parents level of care, denial of behavioural control and denial of psychological autonomy. All participants reported receiving more maternal than paternal care. However, women with BPD reported very low levels of biparental care and significantly more paternal denial of behavioural freedom. Those with AN experienced more maternal denial of behavioural freedom. In terms of maternal bonding, lack of maternal care was the only factor to predict BPD; in contrast, for paternal bonding, a combination of fathers lack of care and denial of behavioural freedom predicted BPD.

Psychological Maltreatment of Children Reported to Youth Protection Services

ABSTRACT Whereas the negative consequences of the psychological maltreatment of children are now acknowledged, the extent of this phenomenon remains largely unknown. This study presents information collected from child welfare practitioners working in the Province of Quebec on all cases retained for investigation during a three-month period (N= 4775). The study describes the number and characteristics of children who are psychologically maltreated, the co-occurrence of this problem with various other types of maltreatment, and the factors that best distinguish these children from those who have not experienced this type of maltreatment. The findings demonstrate the extent of this problem and indicate that children who have been psychologically maltreated are often victims of other types of maltreatment. The family environment of these children gives cause for great concern.

Men's recognition of violence against women and spousal abuse: Comparison of three groups of men

Our goal was to assess whether men in the following three groups differ in their ability to recognize and judge the severity of diverse forms of aggressive behavior: (a) men who reported being physically aggressive toward their spouses and who were entering treatment for domestic violence; (b) men who, after participating in a treatment program, were no longer physically violent; and (c) men who reported never having been physically violent towards their spouses (NPV group—non–physically violent). All 81 men in the study reported being verbally aggressive toward their spouses. Men who had been in treatment for spousal abuse and who had not been physically violent toward their spouses since finishing the program were better able than the other two groups to recognize emotionally abusive behaviors.

The Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Group Marital Therapy on Marital Happiness and Problem Solving Self-Appraisal

Problem solving self-appraisal affects problem solving performance and marital adjustment. This study investigated the effects of cognitive-behavioral group marital therapy on couples’ adjustment and their self-appraisal of problem solving activities. Sixty-six couples participated in group couples therapy. Subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental or a waiting list control group. They completed the Problem Solving Inventory and the Marital Happiness Scale. Therapy was effective in improving global couple adjustment and problem solving self-appraisal. The program had a differential effect on the improvement of self-perceived problem solving abilities depending on the spouses’ initial self-appraised problem solving ability level.

High Prevalence of Physical Pain Among Treatment-Seeking Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder

Research has demonstrated that about 30% of chronic pain patients suffer from borderline personality disorder (BPD), yet pain is not often discussed in research on the treatment of BPD. Sixty-five patients entering outpatient treatment for BPD were assessed at baseline for the prevalence of DSM-IV lifetime pain disorder, current medical problems, and the experience of current pain as measured by the McGill Pain Questionnaire. DSM-IV lifetime pain disorder diagnosis was present in 65% of patients. Current pain was experienced by 89% of participants, with intensity ranging from mild (19%) to excruciating (2%). Some individuals (21.5%) also reported experiencing daily medical problems in the past month prior to entering treatment. Physical pain is highly prevalent among treatment-seeking individuals with BPD. This pain phenomenon should be considered during treatment to help prevent a lifetime of functional impairment, including the possibility of abusing substances as a maladaptive coping mechanism.

Substance Misuse Is Associated With Increased Psychiatric Severity Among Treatment-Seeking Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder

Despite high prevalence rates of concurrent borderline personality disorder (BPD) and substance use disorders (SUDs), little is known about the impact of substance misuse on the presentation of BPD. Sixty-five individuals with BPD were assessed at intake and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Assessment included validated instruments such as the Addiction Severity Index and the Revised Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R). Over half (58.5%) of individuals entering treatment were currently misusing substances. Substance misuse was associated with more legal and employment problems, greater mood disturbance, impulsivity, and psychiatric severity, including almost all SCL-90-R subscales. For the majority of patients (58%), there was little change in substance misuse post-treatment. The high prevalence of substance misuse and its association with psychiatric severity among individuals with BPD suggest that substance misuse should be a targeted behavior during treatment, and further specialized interventions are needed for individuals with comorbid BPD and SUD.