Negative Transgression and Its Relations to the Traits of Personality and Preferences of Values in Men with Bipolar Disorder 1

Abstract

The study aimed to test a psychological dimension – negative transgression, The construct is defined as transcending one’s barriers in destruction against oneself or others. Negative transgression was investigated in the context of personality and values as a motivational mechanism. Participants recruited for the clinical group were patients with bipolar disorder 1 (n=40), who participated in the outpatient treatment program. On the other hand, people from the control group (n=40) were recruited taking into account three aspects. These people had no psychiatric background, of similar age and of the same sex. Three psychological measures were used to assess the variables: the Alternative and Negative Behaviors List for negative transgression, Big Five Inventory for personality traits, and Portrait Values Questionnaire to assess values. The results partially support the hypotheses that people with BD1 show high levels of negative transgression and neuroticism and conservation and low levels of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience, self-enhancement. Subjects with BD1 show intentionality in expanding their personal space in a negative way. The aim of psychological help would be to reorient these people toward transcending themselves (transgression) in a positive way, without detriment to their own or anyone else’s health.