The effects of sexually explicit material use on romantic relationship dynamics

Background and aims Pornography use has become increasingly common. Studies have shown that individuals who use sexually explicit materials (SEMs) report negative effects (Schneider, 2000b). However, Bridges (2008b) found that couples who use SEM together have higher relationship satisfaction than those who use SEM independently. A further investigation into various types of SEM use in relationships may highlight how SEM is related to various areas of couple satisfaction. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to examine the impact of SEM use related to different relationship dynamics. Methods The current study included a college and Internet sample of 296 participants divided into groups based upon the SEM use in relationships (i.e., SEM alone, SEM use with partner, and no SEM use). Results There were significant differences between groups in relationship satisfaction [F(2, 252) = 3.69, p = .026], intimacy [F(2, 252) = 7.95, p = <.001], and commitment [F(2, 252) = 5.30, p = .006]. Post-hoc analyses revealed additional differences in relationship satisfaction [t(174) = 2.13, p = .035] and intimacy [t(174) = 2.76, p = .006] based on the frequency of SEM use. Discussion Further exploration of the SEM use function in couples will provide greater understanding of its role in romantic relationships

Personality Characteristics and Experiential Avoidance in Trichotillomania: Results from an Age and Gender Matched Sample

Despite its prevalence and a growing body of research, significant gaps remain in the knowledge of trichotillomania (TTM). The current study sought to address this issue by examining personality characteristics, impulsivity, and experiential avoidance of those with TTM compared to an age and gender matched sample. 56 Female participants (28 with TTM and 28 non-clinical age-matched controls) completed the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), Barratt\u27s Impulsivity Scale (BIS), and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ). Paired-sample t-tests compared each of the 28 individuals who met criteria for TTM to an age and gender matched individual who did not meet criteria for TTM or any Axis I condition. Significant differences were found between many of the PAI scales and subscales, impulsivity, and experiential avoidance. The TTM group displayed higher levels of pathology than the control group. The findings provide evidence that individuals with TTM demonstrate differing levels of personality characteristics compared to individuals without TTM and that treatment may benefit from acknowledging and targeting these areas

The Effects of Depression on Verbal Memory and Reports of Cognitive Difficulties

The role of severity of depression in influencing verbal memory performance and self-report of cognitive difficulties was assessed using a two part study. The first part of the study asked 102 college male and female introduction to psychology students to provide self-reports of their cognitive difficulties and level of depression by completing the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ; Broadbent, Cooper, FitzGerald & Parkes, 1982), and the Beck Depression Inventory I (BDI I; Beck. Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979). Participants in the second part of the study were individuals whose BDI I score was less than a nine, and greater than a 14. Thirty of the original 102 students participated in the second half of the research. They were asked to self-report their level of depression by completing the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996), were tested on their verbal memory skills using the California Verbal Leaming Test (CVL T: Delis, Kramer, Kaplan, & Ober, 1987), and were tested on intellectual abilities using the W ASI (Wechsler, 1999). Severity of depression was not associated with actual verbal memory performance, but was associated with self-report of cognitive difficulties (p\u3c0.0001). The results suggest that individuals who are depressed report more cognitive problems than are actually present

Hair Pulling Antecedents in Trichotillomania: Their Relationship with Experiential Avoidance

In this study, 285 adults who met criteria for trichotillomania (TTM) via self-report completed an online, cross-sectional survey examining antecedent phenomenological experiences pertaining to hair pulling along with measures of TTM severity and experiential avoidance (i.e., avoidance of or escape from unwanted thoughts or feelings). Results showed a heterogeneous depiction of antecedent experiences. Subsequent analyses revealed that certain antecedents were not significantly related to TTM severity but were significantly correlated with higher levels of experiential avoidance. In particular, four of five classes of antecedents (i.e., bodily sensations, physical symptoms, mental anxiety, and general uncomfortableness) were significantly related to greater experiential avoidance. The authors conclude that treatments may need to be designed to address specific private antecedents, and that this may be done through targeting experiential avoidance

Rethinking Unacceptable Thoughts: Validation of an Expanded Version of the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS)

The Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) is widely used to measure obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) severity across four broad symptom dimensions (i.e., contamination, responsibility for harm, unacceptable thoughts, symmetry). Despite its proven utility, there is reason to suspect that the unacceptable thoughts subscale conflates different types of unacceptable thoughts that are meaningfully distinct from one another. In the current study, we first evaluated the psychometric properties of a newly developed DOCS violent and/or aggressive thoughts subscale. We then examined the factor structure, psychometric properties, and diagnostic sensitivity of a seven-factor version of the DOCS that includes the four original DOCS subscales and three more-specific versions of the unacceptable thoughts scale (i.e., sexually intrusive thoughts, violent and/or aggressive thoughts, and scrupulous or religious thoughts). The sample included 329 residential and intensive outpatients, the majority of which had a diagnosis of OCD (75.2%). The new unacceptable thoughts subscales demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity with unique associations between the subscales and depression, suicide, and perceived threat from emotions that were not present in the broader unacceptable thoughts subscale. The seven-factor version of the DOCS demonstrated slightly lower levels of diagnostic sensitivity than the original DOCS. Thus, the four-factor version of the DOCS is recommended for screening purposes. A score of 40 of higher on the seven-factor version of the DOCS best predicted a diagnosis of OCD. Overall, the three additional unacceptable thoughts subscales appear to be distinct dimensional categories that have potential value in research and clinical settings

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Milwaukee Psychotherapy Expectations Questionnaire

The Milwaukee Psychotherapy Expectations Questionnaire (MPEQ) was developed to measure clients' expectations about the components and effects of therapy. Items were generated rationally based upon the theoretical literature and existing expectancy measures. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a 2-factor solution, comprised of Process Expectations and Outcome Expectations, which was supported by confirmatory factor analyses in three additional samples. The measure demonstrated good internal consistency and test-retest reliability, along with support for convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity. These results present initial evidence for the utility of the MPEQ in assessing both process and outcome expectations in therapy.17 page(s

Quality of Life in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: The Role of Posttraumatic Anhedonia and Depressive Symptoms in a Treatment-Seeking Community Sample

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with functional impairment and poor quality of life (QoL) across multiple domains, such as social functioning, occupational and educational attainment, physical health, and overall life satisfaction and wellbeing. Yet, there is limited evidence for which PTSD symptom clusters may be more strongly associated with functional impairment and decreased QoL. We used a seven-factor model of PTSD (re-experiencing, avoidance, negative alterations, anhedonia, externalizing, dysphoric arousal, and anxious arousal) to predict QoL using a latent regression model in a sample (N = 537) of adult patients participating in exposure-based PTSD partial hospitalization programs (PHP). QoL was measured by the Quality-of-Life Satisfaction Questionnaire—Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF). Among posttraumatic symptoms, anhedonia emerged as the only significant predictor in the model (β = −8.60, SE = 3.02, p = 0.004), when controlling for depression scores. The overall model accounted for 40% of the variance in QoL. Depression was also significantly associated with QoL (β = −1.67, SE = 0.15, p < 0.001), controlling for PTSD symptoms. Our findings are congruent with prior research supporting the role of anhedonia and emotional numbing in functional impairment, yet differ in that other factors of PTSD (e.g., re-experiencing, avoidance, negative alterations) were not significant. Understanding which PTSD symptom clusters are more strongly associated with QoL may inform treatment approaches or allow clinicians to tailor treatments. We discuss implications for treatment and future research

The Social and economic impact of trichotillomania : results from two nonreferred samples

Behavior therapy has been widely used as a treatment for trichotillomania. However, behavioral treatments for TTM have tended to focus on behavior reduction, while not paying as much attention to social and economic impact. The current study sought to clarify the social and economic impact of Trichotillomania (TTM) in two samples of persons with TTM. Members of the first sample attended a TTM patient conference (N = 36) and members of the second responded to an online survey (N = 381). Both samples completed self-report measures that examined the impact of TTM on avoiding activities and relationships, as well as financial costs. Results indicated that both groups reported similar amounts of avoidance in social situations, sought help from multiple health professionals, spent considerable time engaged in hair pulling activities, and had interference in both work and school. The study suggests a number of ways to decrease the negative impact of TTM.13 page(s

Experiential avoidance as a mediator of relationships between cognitions and hair-pulling severity

Cognitive-behavioral models suggest that certain cognitions and beliefs are functionally related to hair pulling in persons with trichotillomania (TTM), but little empirical data have been collected to test such claims. This study assessed dysfunctional beliefs about appearance, shameful cognitions, and fear of negative evaluation and their relation to hair-pulling severity in a sample of individuals self-reporting a diagnosis of TTM. Results showed significant correlations between these cognitions and hair-pulling severity; however, relations diminished or disappeared when controlling for experiential avoidance, a tendency to avoid or escape from unwanted private events. These findings suggest that treatments targeting cognitions may benefit from focusing on experiential avoidance more broadly.15 page(s