Sustaining fantasies and the 16 PF

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Mental Health Research
• Personality Psychology

Background:

• Sustaining fantasies are cognitive strategies used to manage negative emotions and bolster self-esteem.
• Understanding the relationship between fantasy use and psychological distress is crucial for mental health.
• The 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16 PF) is a widely used measure of normal-range personality traits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlations between the Sustaining Fantasy Questionnaire (SFQ) and the 16 PF in a college student population.
• To explore how specific types of sustaining fantasies relate to indicators of psychological distress.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 63 college students completed the Sustaining Fantasy Questionnaire (SFQ) and the 16 PF.
• The SFQ assesses characteristic fantasies employed for affect regulation and self-esteem maintenance.
• Statistical analyses examined the associations between SFQ scales and 16 PF measures.

Main Results:

• Elevated scores on SFQ scales related to power, revenge, death/illness, withdrawal/protection, and restitution were linked to psychological distress.
• Difficulty generating comforting images and higher negative affect scores on the SFQ also correlated with distress indicators on the 16 PF.

Conclusions:

• Certain fantasy themes and difficulties in using fantasies for emotional regulation are associated with psychological distress in college students.
• The findings highlight the potential of the SFQ as a tool to identify individuals who may be experiencing psychological distress.