MMPI-2 Correlates of Sadomasochism in a Sexual Addiction Sample: Contrasting and Men and Women

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2-2016

School

Psychology

Abstract

The current exploratory study investigated associations between personality and psychopathology, as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), and engagement in sadomasochistic (S&M) behaviors in a sample of individuals presenting for treatment of problematic sexual behavior and/or sexual addiction. Profiles were established by sex for both low-risk (e.g., seeking out humiliation and loss of power during sexual experiences) and high-risk (e.g., engagement in sexual asphyxiation) presentations. A series of correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted to establish associations. Results indicated that a scale measuring trauma-related symptoms (PK) predicted both high-risk and low-risk S&M behaviors, across sexes. Among men, schizoptypal characteristics, hypomanic activation, disconstraint, and negative emotionality predicted both risk levels. Low-risk behaviors in men were also predicted by self-deprecation, familial alienation, low positive emotions, and anxiety. Conversely, high-risk S&M behaviors in men were predicted by antisocial behavior, trait psychoticism, and generalized fearfulness. High-risk S&M behaviors in women were predicted by self-deprecation, disconstraint, competitiveness, anger, antisocial behaviors, and aberrant experiences, among others. History of sexual abuse was a predictor of low-risk and high-risk S&M behavior in women only. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for treatment and further research.

Publication Title

Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity

Volume

23

Issue

1

First Page

114

Last Page

140

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