P.1.075 SSRI's therapy in depressive outpatients:Personality changes and predictors of response

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the differential predictive validity of four factors — hyperactivity/impulsivity, attention/socialization problems, antisocial behavior, learning problems — derived from Tarter's ‘hyperactivity/ MBD’ questionnaire. One hundred forty five inpatient alcoholic men were evaluated in the first study and 34 first or second year college men in the second study. Our previous research had revealed significant relationships between the total hyperactivity/MBD score and psychopathology (MMPI, Psychopathic State Inventory), alcohol use patterns and consequences/ and several areas of life functioning (Addiction Severity Index). Factor 1 was revealed in both studies to be associated with hypomania and impulsive behaviors. Factor 2 was associated with many of the same MMPI scales as the total hyperactivity/MBD score, including psychopathic deviate, psychasthenia and social introversion, as well as other measures of sociopathy and criminal behavior. A subsequent breakdown of Factor 2 into its attention and socialization components provided further meaningful differentiations. Factor 3 was found in both studies to be predictive of antisocial and criminal personality and behavior. Both factors 2 and 3 were also closely associated with difficulties in interpersonal relations. Factor 4 bore few relationships with personality, but was found to be related to visuospatial performance deficits. The research therefore supported the differential predictive validity of the four factors. The examination of the individual relationships of these factors enabled a more precise delineation of underlying relationships than was achieved by the total hyperactivity/MBD score.