[Personality characteristics, defence mechanisms and binge eating in obese patients].
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate defence mechanisms and personality characteristics in obese subjects. In particular, we compared the use of defence mechanisms in two groups: obese persons vs. normal weight subjects. We also compared the defence mechanisms and personality characteristics of two groups of obese subjects: those with Binge Eating Disorder vs. those without this disorder. Finally, we investigated the presence of possible differences linked to gender or to age of onset of obesity.


METHODS
93 obese subjects and 68 normal weight subjects were administered a test battery composed of the following self-complete questionnaires (in the Italian version): Binge Eating Scale, Response Evaluation Measure-71, Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory).


RESULTS
Obese subjects appear to use specific defence mechanisms. A gender effect was found on the use of defence mechanisms, on the psychological characteristics associated to an Eating Disorder and on personality features. Obese subjects with Binge Eating Disorder showed a marked tendency to manifest anxiety and bulimic behaviour. Obesity with onset in adolescence was associated with the possibility of developing drug dependence.


CONCLUSIONS
Specific defence characteristics and personality features in obese subjects should be taken into account in designing a slimming program.
Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Strada Nuova, 65 27100 Pavia.
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Pozzoli
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Drago
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Zanardi
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Negri
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Giorgi
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000465:Algorithms; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D010551:Personality; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires