Clinical evidence in Troilism (Polygamy and Polyamory): Definition, psychological profiles and clinical implications

Giulio Perrotta*

Purpose: Starting from the psychopathological hypothesis of ‘Troilism’, just like ‘Cuckolding’, correctly framed (the latter) as a paraphilia, the present research aims to identify the clinical evidence capable of confirming the initial hypothesis, trying to identify the possible aetiological causes. For the purposes of this research, other possible causes that are not directly linked to a psychopathological nature are therefore excluded. 

Methods: The phases of the research were divided as follows: 1) Selection of the population sample divided into seven groups (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) as indicated in section 3 of this research work; 2) Clinical interview, to each population group; 3) Administration of the PICI-2 and PSM-Q (sections A, E), to each population group; 4) Data processing following administration; 5) Comparison of data obtained. 

Results: The entire sample of the selected population (550 people) presents a number of dysfunctional personality traits that are significant for diagnosing a specific disorder; in particular: in cluster A anxiety disorder, phobic disorder, obsessive disorder, dependent disorder and depressive disorder are recurrent; in cluster B bipolar disorder, borderline disorder, narcissistic disorder and sadistic-masochistic disorder are recurrent; in cluster C schizoid disorder, schizotypal disorder, schizoaffective disorder and dissociative disorder are recurrent. Behavioural dependency disorder and/or drug/alcohol dependency disorder is present in all the subjects investigated. In the male population sample (192 individuals), the percentage of cluster B disorders (with a greater prevalence for borderline and narcissistic disorder) tends to be markedly higher than in the female sample in the sexual troilistic forms, while it attenuates in the polyamorous form. In the female sample (358 persons), the percentage of cluster B disorders (with a higher prevalence for borderline and narcissistic disorder) tends to be markedly higher than in the male sample in the sentimental troilistic forms, while it attenuates in the polysexual form, although it is still higher than the average for the male sample. In both sexual genders, the net prevalence of cluster C disorders (in comorbidity with narcissistic traits) is in the anarchic sentimental troilistic form. The entire sample of the selected population (550 people) presents positivity on the test of dysfunctional behaviour in polygamous relationships, with extremely high data in the relational troilistic and polyamorous forms with a binary and/or anarchic style. The integrative questions put to the selected population sample revealed: for the male population sample, betrayal (76.4%) as the main cause that influenced the polygamous choice and narcissistic control in the relationship (47.4%) as the preferred cause of the polygamous choice. A clear minority (28.8%) is not sure or has doubts about the polygamous choice; for the female sample, failed family experiences (61.9%) are the main cause that influenced the polygamous choice and narcissistic control in the relationship (47.4%) is the preferred cause of the polygamous choice. A clear minority (23.3%) is not sure about the polygamous choice or has doubts, although the choice to embark on polygamous life is for a good percentage (40.4%) dependent on a choice originally proposed by the partner, unlike the male sample (18.6%).

Conclusions: The data reported and re-elaborated show the total psychopathological predisposition of subjects who consciously and intentionally undertake a polygamous style of couple relationship, confirming the prevalence of borderline and narcissistic disorders, up to the marked presence of psychotic dysfunctional traits in subjects who prefer the sentimental anarchic type of troilist relationship. The main causes that push the subject to undertake the troilist path are mainly traumatic relational experiences of a familial and affective-sentimental kind (betrayal); therefore the emotional tension and anxiety deriving from the fear of reliving negative experiences is attenuated by the troilist style of relationship that allows greater control of the couple’s relationship and internal dynamics, favouring a marked narcissistic control that generates, aggravates or self-feeds the dysfunctional traits found. In fact, the emotional experiences lived during the troilist (polygamous or polyamorous) conduct act as positive reinforcement, for the maintenance and strengthening of the subject’s beliefs. Confirmation of this hypothesis is the finding that, for both the male and female population samples, narcissistic control is the central motive for maintaining the troilist style. As already confirmed in another study, the troilist choice (polygamous or polyamorous) is also to be considered markedly psychopathological, and therefore deserving of in-depth clinical investigation in order to better frame the patient and support him or her adequately. 

Keywords:

Published on: Aug 7, 2021 Pages: 73-79

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/ijsrhc.000027
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