B - 53 Effects of Personality on Response Speed.

Abstract

The aim of the study is to measure how personality features reported on the MMPI-2 predicts response speed measured on a test of attention. Data was selected from a de-identified database of clinical adults. The sample chosen (N = 508) comprised of mixed psychiatric adults consisting of Caucasians (N = 224, M_edu =13,42% male & 58% female), African Americans (N = 103, M_edu = 12, 52.1% males & 47.8% females), Hispanics (N = 126, M_edu =13,53.5% male & 46.4% female), and Other (N-55, M_edu =13,38.4% male & 61.6% female). All participants were administered the CPT-II and MMPI-2. Multiple hierarchical regressions were run to test what personality factors predict significant incremental variance on a measure of attention when controlling for age and education. In the final model, the Depression scale was a significant predictor accounting for approximately 0.8% of the variance. The Schizophrenia scale was a significant predictor accounting for approximately 2.2% of the variance. The Paranoia scale was a significant predictor accounting for approximately 1.7% of the variance. The Social Introversion scale was a significant predictor accounting for approximately 1.3% of the variance. The study found that individuals reporting psychosis, paranoia, and depressive-like symptoms including social introversion on the MMPI-2 demonstrate inattention via slower response time. Comorbidity of psychosis and depression exhibits poorer cognitive performance likely responsible for the slower response rate to targets. Experiencing paranoia and/or hallucinations during the test pulls full attention further missing targets or responding with significant time in between. The low mood with anxious and intrusive thoughts interrupts their ability to focus and process targets efficiently on the CPT-II.