Rottraut Ille1, Helmut Schöggl2, Hans-Peter Kapfhammer2, Martin Arendasy3, Markus Sommer3, Anne Schienle3. 1. Institute of Psychology, Karl-Franzens-University of Graz, Austria; University Hospital of Psychiatry, Medical University of Graz, Austria. Electronic address: rottraut.ille@uni-graz.at. 2. University Hospital of Psychiatry, Medical University of Graz, Austria. 3. Institute of Psychology, Karl-Franzens-University of Graz, Austria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dysfunctional disgust experiences occur in a variety of mental disorders. Previous research focused on disgust proneness directed towards stimuli in the external environment. However, self-disgust, the devaluation of one' own physical appearance and personality (personal disgust) as well as one' own behavior (behavioral disgust) has hardly been investigated thus far, although it may play a crucial role in specific psychopathologies. METHODS: We investigated 112 patients diagnosed with different mental disorders (major depression, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder (BPD), eating disorders, and spider phobia) and 112 matched mentally healthy individuals. Participants answered the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Self-Disgust (QASD) with two subscales 'personal disgust' and 'behavioral disgust', and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) that provides an overview of patients' psychological problems and their intensity. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls self-disgust was elevated in mental disorders. Personal disgust was more pronounced than behavioral disgust in patients, whereas there was no difference in controls. Patients with BPD and eating disorders reported the highest scores on both subscales. Findings also suggest that self-disgust is related to specific psychological problems. In mental disorders psychoticism and hostility were the best predictors for personal disgust, while anxiety and interpersonal sensitivity predicted behavioral disgust. Additionally, we found disorder-specific predictors for personal disgust (e.g., hostility in schizophrenia). Finally, traumatic events during childhood constitute a risk factor for self-disgust. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides first evidence for the differential meaning of self-disgust for specific mental disorders and symptoms.
BACKGROUND: Dysfunctional disgust experiences occur in a variety of mental disorders. Previous research focused on disgust proneness directed towards stimuli in the external environment. However, self-disgust, the devaluation of one' own physical appearance and personality (personal disgust) as well as one' own behavior (behavioral disgust) has hardly been investigated thus far, although it may play a crucial role in specific psychopathologies. METHODS: We investigated 112 patients diagnosed with different mental disorders (major depression, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder (BPD), eating disorders, and spider phobia) and 112 matched mentally healthy individuals. Participants answered the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Self-Disgust (QASD) with two subscales 'personal disgust' and 'behavioral disgust', and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) that provides an overview of patients' psychological problems and their intensity. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls self-disgust was elevated in mental disorders. Personal disgust was more pronounced than behavioral disgust in patients, whereas there was no difference in controls. Patients with BPD and eating disorders reported the highest scores on both subscales. Findings also suggest that self-disgust is related to specific psychological problems. In mental disorders psychoticism and hostility were the best predictors for personal disgust, while anxiety and interpersonal sensitivity predicted behavioral disgust. Additionally, we found disorder-specific predictors for personal disgust (e.g., hostility in schizophrenia). Finally, traumatic events during childhood constitute a risk factor for self-disgust. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides first evidence for the differential meaning of self-disgust for specific mental disorders and symptoms.
Authors: Gerhard Dammann; Myriam Rudaz; Cord Benecke; Anke Riemenschneider; Marc Walter; Monique C Pfaltz; Joachim Küchenhoff; John F Clarkin; Daniela J Gremaud-Heitz Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2020-07-29
Authors: Paula von Spreckelsen; Klaske A Glashouwer; Elise C Bennik; Ineke Wessel; Peter J de Jong Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-06-05 Impact factor: 3.240