Patricia Bijttebier

Coping strategies in relation to personality disorders

Abstract Dysfunctional coping strategies can be expected to be among the criteria distinguishing personality disorders from normal personality functioning. In the present study the relationship between the basic coping modes problem-solving, social support seeking and avoidance was investigated in a sample of 137 psychiatric in-patients, using both a dimensional and a categorical approach. The general pattern of association found was that of a lack of social support seeking, together with an excess of avoidant coping.

The Impact of Previous Experience on Children's Reactions to Venepunctures

The relationship between childrens previous experience with venepunctures and their responses to a subsequent blood test was studied in 47 children hospitalized for a surgical intervention. We replicated the results of earlier studies, revealing no effect of the amount of experience but a significant effect of the quality of previous experience. Children with a history of negative medical experiences were found to show higher levels of state anxiety prior to the procedure and to be more distressed and less cooperative during the procedure than children with previous positive or neutral experiences. A comparison of both groups of experienced children with inexperienced children revealed that negative past experiences are likely to sensitize the child, whereas positive or neutral past experiences do not have a significant impact on subsequent reactions. This effect occurs independently of the coping style of the child (sensitizing versus repression).

The relationship between compulsive buying, eating disorder symptoms, and temperament in a sample of female students

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between compulsive buying (CB), eating disorder symptoms, and temperament (controlling for depression) in a sample of female students. We assessed 211 female undergraduate students using the Compulsive Buying Scale, the Eating Disorder Inventory, the Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System scales, the Adult Temperament Questionnaire, and the Physical Health Questionnaire-Depression. The results show a positive association between CB and the Eating Disorder Inventory-II drive for thinness and bulimia subscales. Both CB and eating disorder symptoms were related to low levels of effortful control. Finally, CB was also related to high levels of Behavioral Activation Scale reactivity (impulsivity), whereas eating disorder symptoms (especially drive for thinness) were more strongly related to high levels of Behavioral Inhibition Scale reactivity (anxiety). The implications of these findings for the treatment of CB and eating disorder symptoms will be discussed.