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

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.

Notes

As our analyses were conducted separately by sex, the number of analyses within each sex determines the correct adjustment to alpha via Bonferroni. There were eight multiple regression analyses per sex, so.05 / 8 =.00625, thus alpha of <.006 was used.