Plenty of scientific researchers have studied psychopaths. But few have studied the victims of psychopaths, so there is little documentation of what we have all been through.
Perhaps that is beginning to change.
Lovefraud has been contacted by a researcher from Carleton University in Ottowa, Ontario, Canada. She is conducting a study entitled Victimization, coping, and social support of adult survivors of psychopaths. The graduate student is working under the supervision of Dr. Adelle Forth, who is a colleague of Dr. Robert Hare.
The purpose of the study is “to gain an understanding of the victimization experiences of adult (18+) survivors of psychopaths, in an attempt to raise awareness amongst the general public, and mental health and criminal justice professionals.”
Everyone at Lovefraud is invited to participate.
The researcher has developed a web-based survey. The survey has both self-report scales and open-ended questions. You will be asked to rate the presence or absence of psychopathic traits of the most recent psychopathic individual you have been involved with on one scale. Questions revolve around demographics, your relationship and experiences with the psychopath, including being deceived and its impact on your mental and physical health, your ways of coping, and your support networks. The survey does not ask for any information that might identify you.
Completing the survey will take approximately one hour, and Lovefraud strongly encourages you to participate. If you are concerned about your safety, please be sure to take appropriate precautions.
Here—finally—is a chance to develop information that may make a difference in how victims of psychopaths are viewed and treated. Let’s take advantage of the opportunity.
Data is being collected from now until Dec. 31, 2008. Be sure to add your voice.
Indigoblue
How much does it pay :)~
Stargazer
I tried taking this survey but couldn’t get past the “date” part on the first page. It kept asking me to fill in the date in a certain format, which I did. It did not progress to the next screen. Anyone able to get through?
apt/mgr
Yes, I did. I kept getting that and realized that I was putting the month in front of the day. Then I was able to proceed. I wish the psychos could take a survey and give real answers. I’ve never been so confused by anyone in all my life than by the ones who called their actions love and care. Spare me. I still come here time and again, and keep seeing me. History really does repeat itself.
psurvivorstudy
Hi all,
Thank you so much for putting this out to your readers, D. I appreciate it and look forward to educating the public with their assistance.
“Indigoblue” – Although a :)~ might typically be seen in a humorous context, you still ask a very good question which needs to be answered.
The question of financial compensation did cross my mind, and unfortunately there is none offered, for a few reasons:
(1) it would be very difficult to conduct monetary transactions *anonymously* while ensuring it is given to the right person,
(2) it may pose a risk if participants receive monetary compensation and the dangerous individuals in their lives get ahold of such information (i.e., if they see an unexplained deposit in joint bank accounts, etc.),
(3) financial reasons on my own part – it would be very difficult to fund everyone for such a large-scale study.
-M. (pss).
Ox Drover
WHICH PSYCHOPTH?
Father
mother
Son
X-Boyfriend
Daughter in law
X boss
X business partner
X father in law
X neighbor
psurvivorstudy
Dear “Stargazer” and “apt/mgr”,
Thank you for the feedback regarding the date. I have looked into the template and (hopefully) changed it so they can write the date in any way they wish (or skip it).
My sincere apologies,
-M. (pss).
Stargazer
I was able to take the survey but not sure how to answer some of the questions about the effect on my health. The reason is because I am out of the crisis period, and have mostly returned to a normal baseline. I tried to answer for when I was still in shock.
Also, it would be helpful if the screen scrolled up so you can see what answers you are checking off. (It’s probably and easy fix).
Will we be able to see the results of the survey?
Stargazer
Naturally, writing about the P stirred up old memories. I honestly don’t think it was his intention to hurt or play me. I think he is just missing the part in his brain (conscience, empathy?) that makes a person realize how his actions affect others. After his last no-call/no-show (which was the last straw for me), I asked him why (why he didn’t show). His response was: “I don’t know. I wanted to. I just didn’t.” I think it was his attempt at being honest. It is probably the closest he will ever come to introspection.
I believe he had a history of pathological lying. But it was almost as if he couldn’t help it–he is just wired that way. It’s wierd. In some strange way, I think he did try to be a better person for me, but he just lacks the capacity. There’s just something missing. He never spoke ill of me even after we split, to my knowledge. He never said an unkind word. But lying to him is like breathing for you and I. You couldn’t tell he was lying. He was so good at it.
Ox Drover
Dear Psuvivorstudy;
One thing that was a BIT confusing to me was your questions about our moods, etc. It wasnt clear if the way we ‘felt’ and acted afterwards was right after or now that we have had some time to heal. i answered like it effected me at first (and for months and months afterwards) but actually NOW, this minute, i am doing well, but it has been a years long healing process, not something that healed over night. my entire world was turned upside down when i had to flee my home in order to not be murdered. In the end, though, I think I am a better and stronger person for what I learned from what I endured. in fact, it would i think be helpful to me if i were a researcher to know how the victims felt at the end of the relationship, how long are they out, and how do they feel now.
Indigoblue
Survey Says???
I can’t fill in an answer do click it lick it or stick it ?
first page no box or circle to put my answer in ?
second page same deal?
I was jokeing $$$$$$ put the $$$$$$$$ in my pay-pal acct # 123 evil 456789