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Pathological Love: Impulsivity, Personality, and Romantic Relationship

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Eglacy C. Sophia,
Hermano Tavares,
Marina P. Berti,
Ana Paula Pereira,
Andrea Lorena,
Cidália Mello,
Clarice Gorenstein and
Monica L. Zilberman
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Abstract

Introduction: Pathological love (PL)–behavior characterized by providing repetitive and uncontrolled care and attention to the partner in a romantic relationship–is a rarely studied condition, despite not being rare and causing suffering. This study aims at investigating impulsivity, personality, and characteristics related to the romantic relationship in this population.

Methods: Eighty-nine individuals (50 with PL; 39 individuals with no psychiatric disorder) were compared regarding impulsivity, personality, type of attachment, satisfaction with romantic relationship, and love style.

Results: Individuals with PL have higher levels of impulsivity (P<.001; Barratt Impulsiveness Scale), higher self-transcendence, that is, are more unconventional and hold sense of communion with a wider reality (P<.001; Temperament and Character Inventory) and keep dissatisfactory romantic relationships (P<.001; Adapted Relationship Assessment Scale).

Conclusion: Individuals with PL present personality traits and relationship aspects that must be taken into account in devising assessment and therapeutic strategies for this population.

Information

Type
Original Research
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 14 , Issue 5 , May 2009, pp. 268 - 274
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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