Psychological correlates of the three variables in the Strelau Temperament Inventory

Abstract

Most of the validational studies concerning the Strelau Temperament Inventory (STI) have focused on the Strength of Excitation scale and on a limited number of domains. This study was designed to examine the STI validity in new domains or with new tools, emphasizing the contribution of each of the three STI scales. We focused on health orientation and behaviour, stress susceptibility, emotional reactions, life events, and personal problems. The subjects were 91 healthy adults of both genders. Also information about smoking (health behaviour), white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (physiological stress measures) was available. Regression and discriminant analyses showed that the STI scales were related neither to smoking nor to the Cognitive Orientation of Health but only to three of its components. Furthermore, the STI scales were related to the verbal but not to the physiological stress measures; and to the negative emotions but hardly to the positive ones. Finally, they were related to measures of life events and personal problems. The relations were mostly modest but broadened the validational basis of the STI, indicating that, although all three scales have to be considered, each has a unique contribution.