Marital Adjustment and Marital Conflict in Individuals Diagnosed with ADHD and Their Spouses.

Introduction: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause many problems in adulthood, particularly in close interpersonal relationships and marriage. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in patterns of the marital relationship between healthy couples and couples with one member previously diagnosed with ADHD. Methods: The sample of the study included the ADHD group consisting of 28 couples one of whom was diagnosed with ADHD; and the comparison group consisting of 28 healthy couples who were reached through snowball sampling. All couples had been married for at least one year and their ages range from 22 to 61. Wender Utah Rating Scale, Adults ADHD Self-Report Scale, Marital Conflict Questionnaire, Marital Adjustment Scale, Conflict Resolution Styles Scale in Romantic Relationship, and The Birtchnell Partner Evaluation Scale were used as data collection tools. Results: Analysis results showed that adults diagnosed with ADHD and their spouses had more unfavorable patterns in their marriages with regard to the level of conflict, marital adjustment, conflict resolution styles, and reciprocal evaluations when compared to the comparison group. Conclusion: ADHD can lead to the termination of marriages when it is not recognized and not treated properly. In consideration of this fact, it is thought that this study will provide information about the recognition of ADHD in adults who apply with especially marital problems and directing them to appropriate treatment.

Relationships between Childhood Traumatic Experiences, Early Maladaptive Schemas and Interpersonal Styles.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive theories of psychopathology have generally proposed that early experiences of childhood abuse and neglect may result in the development of early maladaptive self-schemas. Maladaptive core schemas are central in the development and maintenance of psychological symptoms in a schema-focused approach. Psychosocial dysfunction in individuals with psychological problems has been consistently found to be associated with symptom severity. However, till date, linkages between psychosocial functioning, early traumatic experiences and core schemas have received little attention. The aim of the present study was to explore the relations among maladaptive interpersonal styles, negative experiences in childhood and core self-schemas in non-clinical adults. METHODS: A total of 300 adults (58% women) participated in the study. The participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, Young Schema Questionnaire, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Interpersonal Style Scale. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the Disconnection and Rejection and Impaired Limits schema domains were significant antecedents of maladaptive interpersonal styles after controlling for demographic characteristics and childhood abuse and neglect. Associations of child sexual abuse with Emotionally Avoidant, Manipulative and Abusive interpersonal styles were mediated by early maladaptive schemas. Early maladaptive schemas mediated the relations of emotional abuse with Emotionally Avoidant and Avoidant interpersonal styles as well as the relations of physical abuse with Avoidant and Abusive interpersonal styles. CONCLUSION: Interpersonal styles in adulthood are significantly associated with childhood traumatic experiences. Significant relations between early traumatic experiences and maladaptive interpersonal styles are mediated by early maladaptive schemas.

Submissive Behaviour, Depression, and Suicide Probability in Male Arrestees and Convicts.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of suicide probability with submissive behaviors and the levels of depression in male arrestees and convicts staying in penal institutions. METHODS: The study consisted of 326 male participants from five different prisons. A personal information form was used to collect the socio-demographic data, The Suicide Probability Scale (SPS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Submissive Behaviour Scala (SBS) were used to determine the related psychological characteristics. RESULTS: The results showed that depression was determined in 69% of the inmates (convicts and arrestees), while the suicide probability rate was found to be in the proportion of 88% which is higher than in the general population. Regarding the examination in terms of crime types, it was found that the suicide ideation rate of sex offenders or sex offender arrestees (x=18.33; ss=7.28) and the hostility rate of bulglary offenders (x=16.63; ss=4.75) were much higher than that of the other types of offenders. According to the findings of the Hierarchical Regression Analysis conducted in order to define the variables predicting the subscale rates of SPS, while previous suicide attempt(s) and depression predict hopelessness rate; self-attempted suicide, witnessing suicide attempts, self-harm and depression predict suicide ideation rate. Furthermore, education status and depression symptoms predict negative self-evaluation rate, and lastly education level, witnessing suicide attempts, self-harm and depression symptoms predict hostility subscale rate. CONCLUSION: Factors such as social isolation, mislearning, etc. were considered to cause increased feelings of hopelessness, suicide ideation, negative sense of self and feelings of hostility in convicts and arrestees staying indoors.