Evaluation of coping attitudes with MMPI profiles of female patients with a history of sexual abuse who applied to A university hospital psychiatric clinic

Objective: In this study; it was aimed to evaluate with MMPI profiles and coping attitudes female patients who applied to the Mental Health and Diseases clinic and had a history of sexual abuse Materials and Methods: 50 female patients who applied to the Psychiatry clinic and had a history of sexual abuse, and 50 female patients who were not, were interviewed. The demographic data form, COPE scale and MMPI test filled by the participants were evaluated Results: Women exposed to sexual abuse are at a lower socioeconomic level; alcohol, substance and smoking are more frequent; they prefer dysfunctional coping methods; depressive, anxious and socially introverted personality traits have been found to carry. Also the participants who blame herself for sexual abused and who abused by penetration and acquaintance it was determined that the relationship between the abuse incident and their recourse to psychiatry was higher. Conclusion: When all the findings are evaluated together; It was thought that the history of abuse should be questioned in the female patient who applied to the psychiatry clinic with all kinds of symptoms. In addition, it was concluded that the details of the features of abuse, whether they feel guilty due to the incident, whether their personality traits and coping methods would be beneficial for the clinician in the approach of these patients while taking their anamnesis. Key words: Coping attitudes, sexual abuse, women, personality, MMPI.