Boundary violations and personality traits among psychiatrists.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that sexual abuse of patients by psychiatrists can be due to a variety of contributors, which may include therapists' psychopathic and narcissistic personality styles.


METHODS
Data from a prospective cohort of residents training in psychiatry were examined to evaluate the personality traits of 2 psychiatrists subsequently convicted of boundary violations.


RESULTS
The 2 psychiatrists who lost their licenses were identifiable at the beginning of their residency training as individuals with significant character pathology.


CONCLUSIONS
For some psychiatrists, repetitive sexual abuse of patients represents one aspect of an ongoing pattern of exploitative relationships. The professional and ethical implications of these findings as they relate to early identification for those at risk are considered.
Garfinkel
P E
PE
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario.
Bagby
R M
RM
Waring
E M
EM
Dorian
B
B
D015331:Cohort Studies; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008007:Licensure, Medical; D008950:MMPI / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010815:Physician Impairment / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*