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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.

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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