Sustaining fantasies and psychopathology in a normal sample

This study tested the hypothesis that the types of sustaining fantasy (fantasy used as a source of comfort at times of high stress) previously found to be associated with inpatient status also would be related to indications of psychopathology in a college sample (N = 124). The Sustaining Fantasy Questionnaire (SFQ; Zelin et al., 1983) provided a measure of fantasies of power/revenge, death/illness, withdrawal/protection, suffering, love/closeness, and restitution. The F scale of the MMPI and the number of MMPI clinical scales at or above 70 were used as the measures of general pathology. Results indicated that four of the hypothesized six types of fantasy-power/revenge, death/illness, withdrawal/protection, and suffering-related to psychopathology. No specific configuration of scores on the MMPI clinical scales was noted for any of these four types of fantasy.