Relationship of Personality Adjustment to Eating and Drinking Patterns in a Group of Italian Americans

Abstract

As part of a larger research project, a social history, a physical examination, a dietary record, a sugar tolerance curve and psychological tests were taken on 50 Italian American subjects. Subjects were classified into 2 groups: 34 subjects were classified in Group I, those within normal limits and those showing mild maladjustment, and 16 subjects were classified in Group II, as deviant personalities. Group II had less education, a greater proportion of Group I was married and the subjects in Group II presented significantly more disease and disorder symptoms than did those in Group I. The 2 groups did not differ significantly in blood sugar tolerance curves or in general eating pattern although there is a clear tendency for extreme deviation in weight to be associated with personality disturbance. Drinking patterns were similar for both groups, the only difference being in the frequency of intoxication in the subject''s lifetime: the disturbed individuals showed a significantly greater number of such experiences. This group of subjects show emotional disturbance in extreme weight deviation, in physical ill health and in more frequent intoxication experiences.