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Sustaining fantasies and psychopathology in a normal sample
1Northeastern University.
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Certain types of sustaining fantasy, like power/revenge and death/illness, are linked to psychopathology in college students. This research explores the connection between fantasy types and mental health indicators.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Sustaining fantasy, used for comfort during stress, has been linked to inpatient status.
- Understanding the relationship between fantasy types and psychopathology is crucial for mental health assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if specific types of sustaining fantasy are associated with psychopathology in a college student sample.
- To investigate the correlation between sustaining fantasy subtypes and general psychological distress.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Sustaining Fantasy Questionnaire (SFQ) to measure six fantasy types.
- Employed the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) F scale and clinical scale scores to assess psychopathology.
- Collected data from 124 college students.
Main Results:
- Four fantasy types—power/revenge, death/illness, withdrawal/protection, and suffering—showed a significant relationship with psychopathology.
- No specific MMPI score configurations were identified for these fantasy types.
Conclusions:
- The study supports the hypothesis that certain sustaining fantasies are associated with psychopathology in a non-clinical college population.
- Findings suggest that the content of comforting fantasies may serve as an indicator of underlying psychological distress.