Harm Avoidance Research Articles

Differences in subjective well-being between individuals with distinct Joint Personality (temperament-character) networks in a Bulgarian sample.

BackgroundPersonality is the major predictor of people’s subjective well-being (i.e., positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction). Recent research in countries with high-income and strong self-transcendent values shows that well-being depends on multidimensional configurations of temperament and character traits (i.e., Joint Personality Networks) that regulate the way people learn to adapt their habits to be in accord with their goals and values, rather than individual traits. To evaluate the prevalence and the associations of different Joint Personality (temperament-character) Networks with well-being in a low-income country with weak self-transcendent values, we tested their association in Bulgarian adults, a population known to have strong secular-rationalist values but weak self-transcendent values.MethodThe sample consisted of 443 individuals from Bulgaria (68.70% females) with a mean age of 34 years (SD = 15.05). Participants self-reported personality (Temperament and Character Inventory), affect (Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule), and life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale). The personality scores were used for profiling through latent profile analysis and latent class analysis based on temperament configurations (i.e., Temperament Profiles) of high/low scores of Novelty Seeking (N/n), Harm Avoidance (H/h), Reward Dependence (R/r), and Persistence (P/s); and character configurations (i.e., Character Profiles) of high/low scores of Self-Directedness (S/s), Cooperativeness (C/c), and Self-Transcendence (T/t).ResultsWe found two Temperament Profiles and two Character Profiles that clustered into two distinctive Joint Personality Networks. All individuals in Joint Personality Network 1 had a Reliable (nhRP) Temperament Profile in combination with an Organized (SCt) Character Profile (i.e., a stable temperament and a healthy character configuration). About 71.9% in Joint Personality Network 2 had an Apathetic (sct) Character Profile in combination with Methodical (nHrp) or Reliable (nhRP) Temperament Profiles, while 28.1% had a Methodical (nHrp) Temperament Profile in combination with an Organized (SCt) Character Profile. Few people with high self-expressive values (i.e., high in all three character traits; SCT) were found. Individuals with a Joint Personality Network 1 with strong secular-rationalist values reported higher levels of positive affect and life satisfaction (p < .001), while individuals with a Joint Personality Network 2 reported higher levels of negative affect (p < .001).ConclusionsAlthough a stable temperament and a healthy character were separately important for well-being, it was clear that it was the interaction between such temperament and character configuration that yielded greater levels of subjective well-being. Nevertheless, future research needs to investigate this interaction further to evaluate other cultures with variable configurations of personality traits and values.

Temperament and Character of High Suicide Risk Group Among Psychiatric Patients.

Objective The purpose of this study was to classify patients with suicidal tendencies into suicide attempts (SA), suicidal ideation (SI), and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and to identify differences in temperaments and characters of the groups. It also aimed to identify difference between the groups and non-suicidal tendencies. Methods Using psychiatric diagnostic data of 195 patients, temperaments and characters were measured with the Temperament and Character Inventory, and the level of depression was measured with the Beck Depression Inventory. The subjects were classified into SA, SI, NSSI, psychiatric patients without suicidal tendencies (PP), and non-patient (Normal) groups, and multivariate analysis of variance and multinomial logistic regression were conducted. Results The NSSI group had higher novelty seeking compared to the SI group, while having higher harm avoidance, lower persistence, and lower self-directedness compared to the SA group. Furthermore, low persistence was a better predictor for the SA group between SA and NSSI groups, and low novelty seeking was found to be a better predictor for the SI group between the SI and NSSI groups. Conclusion As a result, the group differences in temperaments and characters were found, which would be useful to identify patients with suicidal tendencies and provide appropriate interventions tailored to the temperaments and characters of each group.

Personality assessment with Temperament and Character Inventory in Parkinson's disease

IntroductionThere is a growing interest in personality evaluation in Parkinson's disease (PD), following observations of specific temperaments in PD patients. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate personality dimensions from the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) in a cohort of fluctuating PD patients considered for deep brain stimulation. MethodsFluctuating PD patients from the PREDISTIM cohort were included. Description of TCI dimensions and comparison with a French normative cohort were performed. Pearson correlations between TCI dimensions and motor, behavioral and cognitive variables were investigated. Structural and internal consistency analysis of the TCI were further assessed. ResultsThe 570 PD patients presented significant higher scores in Harm Avoidance, Reward Dependence, Persistence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness and significant lower scores in Self-Transcendence compared to the French normative cohort; only Novelty Seeking scores were not different. Harm Avoidance and Self-directedness scores were correlated with PDQ-39 total, HAMD, HAMA scores, and anxiolytic/antidepressant treatment. Novelty Seeking scores were correlated with impulsivity. Pearson correlations between TCI dimensions, principal component analysis of TCI sub-dimensions and Cronbach's alpha coefficients showed adequate psychometric proprieties. ConclusionThe TCI seems to be an adequate tool to evaluate personality dimensions in PD with good structural and internal consistencies. These fluctuating PD patients also have specific personality dimensions compared to normative French population. Moreover, Harm Avoidance and Self-Directedness scores are associated with anxio-depressive state or quality of life and, and Novelty Seeking scores with impulsivity.

Temperament and Offending Behaviors in Male Adolescents.

The aim of the current paper was to examine temperament profiles and temperament dimensions as risk factors for persistent criminal behavior in juveniles who offended (JOs). A sample of 137 male adolescents from a Swiss detention center and 137 age and sex matched community controls were included in the present study. Temperament was measured with the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI). Using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), three temperament profiles were found, a "moderate," an "adventurous-disinhibited" (higher levels of novelty seeking, lower levels of harm avoidance, reward dependence, and persistence), and a "worried-passive" profile (higher levels of harm avoidance, low persistence). None of the profiles and dimensions were associated with detention sample (i.e., JO) status. In JOs, the "novelty seeking" scale predicted recidivism after release from detention even when controlling for other covariates. Further research should address temperament profiles and temperament dimensions in larger samples of JOs to elaborate their relation to previous and future offending behavior.

Stakeholder definitions of responsible drinking: a call to define an ambiguous construct

To mitigate alcohol-related harm, various stakeholders have advanced the construct of ‘responsible drinking.’ However, clarity regarding ‘responsible drinking’ in evaluation research is limited. Additionally, the alcohol industry often uses the term without any mention of clear limits or meaning. At this point it is unclear whether stakeholders are adopting a shared understanding of the ‘responsible drinking’ concept; such a shared understanding is essential for the development, implementation, and evaluation of consumer protection strategies that rest on individual responsibility. Therefore, we sought to describe 6 stakeholders’ use of the construct. Stakeholder sectors included (1) academics, (2) government organizations, (3) alcohol industry, (4) alcohol treatment centers, (5) U.S. higher education institutions, and (6) addiction professionals’ organizations. We searched a total of 133 sources representing these stakeholder sectors. Despite frequent use of the term ‘responsible drinking’ or a close derivative, only 17 sources provided an explicit definition. Coding revealed that the ‘responsible drinking’ message is still ambiguous, which means that consumers are not being provided clear harm avoidance guidance. Future research should create a shared conceptualization of responsible drinking to include all dimensions relevant to the construct. Furthermore, alternative phrases such as ‘safe drinking’ or ‘moderate drinking’ may be used to emphasize different dimensions of responsible drinking and may warrant further study. Like responsible drinking, other terms will require careful development, as well, but might benefit in terms of acceptability and reception from the absence of a positive connotation.

Economic preferences and temperament traits among business leaders and paid employees

This paper explores individuals’ economic preferences and temperament traits among different categories of business leaders (i.e., managers, self-employed with employees, self-employed without employees) and paid employees. We assume that these quite stable preferences and traits play a role in predicting occupational choice toward leadership roles. We use a large individual-level survey dataset (n = 5890) from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 at age 46 with linkages to nationally registered data. We construct survey measures for three types of economic preferences: risk, time, and social preferences. We use Cloninger’s inventory to measure four main temperament traits: harm avoidance, reward dependence, novelty-seeking, and persistence. We show that business leaders, in general, have different economic preferences and temperament traits than paid employees. To become a manager, especially the temperament trait of novelty-seeking seems relevant; and to become self-employed, particularly the economic preference of risk-taking appears as important.

Early Parkinson's Disease Phenotypes Tailored by Personality, Behavior, and Motor Symptoms.

Previous studies described a parkinsonian personality characterized as rigid, introverted, and cautious; however, little is known about personality traits in de novo Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and their relationships with motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms. To investigate personality in de novo PD and explore its relationship with PD symptoms. Using Cloninger's biosocial model, we assessed personality in 193 de novo PD patients. Motor and non-motor symptoms were measured using several validated scales. Cluster analysis was conducted to investigate the interrelationship of personality traits, motor, and non-motor symptoms. PD patients showed low novelty seeking, high harm avoidance, and normal reward dependence and persistence scores. Harm avoidance was positively correlated with the severity of depression, anxiety, and apathy (rs = [0.435, 0.676], p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with quality of life (rs = -0.492, p < 0.001). Novelty seeking, reward dependence, and persistence were negatively correlated with apathy (rs = [-0.274, -0.375], p < 0.001). Classification of patients according to personality and PD symptoms revealed 3 distinct clusters: i) neuropsychiatric phenotype (with high harm avoidance and low novelty seeking, hypodopaminergic neuropsychiatric symptoms and higher impulsivity), ii) motor phenotype (with low novelty seeking and higher motor severity), iii) benign phenotype (with low harm avoidance and high novelty seeking, reward dependence, and persistence traits clustered with lower symptoms severity and low impulsivity). Personality in early PD patients allows us to recognize 3 patients' phenotypes. Identification of such subgroups may help to better understand their natural history. Their longitudinal follow-up will allow confirming whether some personality features might influence disease evolution and treatment.

Gaming Disorder Seen Through the Prism of Dual Diagnosis: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

IntroductionDual diagnosis (DD) is defined as the co-occurrence of at least a psychiatric disorder and at least an addictive disorder. Most studies about DD considered substance use disorders. In 2018, gaming disorder (GD) was recognized as a formal disorder and integrated into the category of addictive disorders in the 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases. Our objectives were to measure DD prevalence among GD patients and to assess factors associated with the presence of DD.MethodsAs part of the EVALuation of behavioral ADDictions (EVALADD) cohort, 92 patients with GD were included in the present study. Psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, mood, and psychotic disorders, were explored with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI 5.0.0). Probable adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was screened with the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) in childhood and with the ADHD Self-Report Scale-V1.1 (ASRS) in adulthood. Finally, personality was assessed using the 125-item version of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-125), motives for gaming with the Videogame Motives Questionnaire (VMQ) and attachment styles with the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ). To measure the prevalence of DD among GD patients, we considered the occurrence of current GD with current anxiety, mood, or psychotic disorders, or with probable current ADHD. We also performed a multivariate analysis to identify independent factors associated with DD.ResultsMore than half (55.4%) of GD patients suffered from DD. We found a high prevalence of probable ADHD (38%) and anxiety disorders (29% suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, social, agoraphobia or panic disorder). Four variables were significantly associated with DD: suicidal thoughts [odds ratio (OR) = 6.83, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) (1.66–28.09)], VMQ “coping” scores [OR = 1.18, 95%CI (1.01–1.38)], TCI-125 “harm avoidance” scores [OR = 1.04, 95%CI (1.01–1.07)] and “novelty seeking” scores [OR = 1.03, 95%CI (1.00–1.06)].DiscussionThe prevalence of certain psychiatric disorders among GD patients far exceeded that observed in the general population. Both ADHD and suicidal ideations should particularly be screened among GD patients. Specific interventions targeting personality dimensions associated with DD but also on the management of negative affect should represent new treatment opportunities.

Latent Classes for the Treatment Outcomes in Women with Gambling Disorder and Buying/Shopping Disorder.

Background: The risk for behavioral addictions is rising among women within the general population and in clinical settings. However, few studies have assessed treatment effectiveness in females. The aim of this work was to explore latent empirical classes of women with gambling disorder (GD) and buying/shopping disorder (BSD) based on the treatment outcome, as well as to identify predictors of the different empirical groups considering the sociodemographic and clinical profiles at baseline. Method: A clinical sample of n = 318 women seeking treatment for GD (n = 221) or BSD (n = 97) participated. Age was between 21 to 77 years. Results: The four latent-classes solution was the optimal classification in the study. Latent class 1 (LT1, good progression to recovery) grouped patients with the best CBT outcomes (lowest risk of dropout and relapses), and it was characterized by the healthiest psychological state at baseline, the lowest scores in harm avoidance and self-transcendence, and the highest scores in reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness and cooperativeness. Latent classes 3 (LT3, bad progression to drop-out) and 4 (LT4, bad progression to relapse) grouped women with the youngest mean age, earliest onset of the addictive behaviors, and worst psychological functioning. Conclusions: GD and BSD are complex conditions with multiple interactive causes and impacts, which need wide and flexible treatment plans. Specific interventions should be designed according to the specific profiles of women for achieving early inclusion, retention and well-maintained long-term effects.

Different degrees, similar personalities: A four-year comparison of dentistry and medicine students

Introduction: The Doctor of Medicine (MD) and the Bachelor of Dental Science Honours (BDSc) degrees are challenging, with similar prerequisites regarding the scope of prior knowledge and academic performance. Studies have previously explored personality traits of students within each degree, but few have compared traits between the MD and BDSc cohorts. Methods: Successive first-year cohorts of MD and BDSc students (2015 to 2018) completed a survey including demographic questions and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Generalised estimating equations comparedTCI traits of students in the programs. Results: MD students comprised a higher proportion of students who were male, older and married/partnered compared to BDSc students. Profiles of temperament and character were similar. After adjusting for sex, age and marital status, the mean scores of harm avoidance were higher, and persistence, self-directedness and cooperativeness significantly lower inBDSc compared to MD students. Conclusions: Students pursuing medicine and dentistry demonstrate some differences in trait scores, however they are not meaningfully different when interpreting their profiles. Both groups have similar personalities, indicative of coping with their challenging degrees. A supportive learning environment is paramount to that coping success.

The relationship between sex, personality traits, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.

The aim of our study was to examine whether there are sex-based differences in the relationship between personality traits and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis measures. A total of 106 healthy volunteers (56.6% women; age: 48.0 ± 15.8years) were studied. The revised temperament and character inventory (TCI-R) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) were administered. HPA axis function was assessed using three dynamic measures: the cortisol awakening response (CAR), the diurnal cortisol slope, and the cortisol suppression ratio with 0.25mg of dexamethasone (DSTR). Female sex was associated with an increased CAR and a more flattened diurnal cortisol slope, although a negative significant interaction between harm avoidance and female sex was found. Regarding the DSTR, perseverance was associated with increased cortisol suppression after dexamethasone; sex did not affect this association. Our study suggests that the relationship between specific personality traits (harm avoidance) and HPA axis measures (CAR, diurnal slope) differs according to sex.

The Personality Traits and P300 of Offspring of Parents With Alcohol Dependence Differ Depending on Current Risky Drinking: A Preliminary Case-Control Study.

AimsThe aim of this study was to investigate the personality traits, and P300 component in the offspring of parents with alcohol dependence (OPAD) currently engaged in risky drinking and those not engaged in risky drinking, and to further explore the correlates of problematic alcohol use.MethodsA case-control study was conducted according to the cutoff of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). The frequency of the TaqIA polymorphism of the dopamine receptor D2 gene associated with alcohol dependence was compared between the two OPAD groups. Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ), The Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), and the MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) were measured or interviewed in OPAD not engaged in risky drinking (resilient; n = 35) and those currently engaged in risky drinking (vulnerable; n = 20). P300 was measured to test the possible electrophysiological differences. The correlates of alcohol use were analyzed.ResultsVulnerable OPAD showed higher novelty seeking subscale scores (NS4; 4.45 ± 2.012 vs. 3.31 ± 1.728, P < 0.05) and harm avoidance subscale scores (HA4; 5.3 ± 2.319 vs. 3.66 ± 2.461, P < 0.05) than resilient OPAD, while the total scores of each dimension showed no significant difference. OPAD engaged in risky drinking showed more tobacco use than OPAD resistant to risky drinking. OPAD with risky drinking showed a shorter P300 latency than resilient OPAD on Fz electrodes. AUDIT scores of OPAD were correlated with P300 latency.ConclusionsP300 differed between OPAD with and without risky drinking and alcohol use was associated with P300 latency, indicating that P300 may be used in the early detection of vulnerable OPAD and early intervention in the future.

Children's and adolescents’ conversations with mothers about offenders’ and victims’ responsibility for harm in their experiences of being hurt by a peer

AbstractThis study investigated mothers’ and children's constructions of meaning about responsibility for harm in conversations about two experiences when children were hurt by a peer and felt they had either contributed or not contributed to the situation. The sample included 105 Canadian mothers (75% White) and their children (53 girls, 52 boys) across three age groups (M ages = 6.92, 11.14, 15.89 years). Overall, mothers and children emphasized different aspects of responsibility; mothers made more evaluations of acts and discussed the avoidability of harm whereas children referred more to hurtful acts, consequences, reasons, and subsequent responses. Discussions of the child's and peer's responsibility were responsive to the child's perspective on events. The child's responsibility for self‐protection was particularly emphasized by mothers and when the child felt they had not contributed to the situation. Children more often mitigated their responsibility as compared to their mothers, and older children referred more to their own and their peer's responsibility for harm. Findings illuminate how conversations with mothers may inform children's judgments of their own and others’ roles in peer conflict.

Brain network topology and personality traits: A source level magnetoencephalographic study.

Personality neuroscience is focusing on the correlation between individual differences and the efficiency of large-scale networks from the perspective of the brain as an interconnected network. A suitable technique to explore this relationship is the magnetoencephalography (MEG), but not many MEG studies are aimed at investigating topological properties correlated to personality traits. By using MEG, the present study aims to evaluate how individual differences described in Cloninger's psychobiological model are correlated with specific cerebral structures. Fifty healthy individuals (20 males, 30 females, mean age: 27.4 ± 4.8 years) underwent Temperament and Character Inventory examination and MEG recording during a resting state condition. High harm avoidance scores were associated with a reduced centrality of the left caudate nucleus and this negative correlation was maintained in females when we analyzed gender differences. Our data suggest that the caudate nucleus plays a key role in adaptive behavior and could be a critical node in insular salience network. The clear difference between males and females allows us to suggest that topological organization correlated to personality is highly dependent on gender. Our findings provide new insights to evaluate the mutual influences of topological and functional connectivity in neural communication efficiency and disruption as biomarkers of psychopathological traits.

Tension-Type Headache in Early Adolescents: Exploring the Predictive Role of Anxiety and Alexithymia

IntroductionPrimary Headache, including Tension-Type Headache (TTH), represents one of the most common somatic disorders in children and adolescents with a strong impact on quality of life. Several risk factors, as environmental, familiar, and psychological features, including personality traits, are related to the development of Primary Headache. However, studies on specific subgroups of TTH are relatively few in early adolescents.ObjectivesTherefore, this cross-sectional pilot study aims at exploring the role of anxiety and alexithymia in early adolescents with and without TTH.MethodsA sample of 70 early adolescents (Mage=14.59, SD=1.85; 71% females) consisting of a clinical group (31 with TTH) enrolled in an Italian Child Neuropsychiatry Clinic and a comparison group (38 without TTH) enrolled in schools, matched on gender and age, completed: 1) Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) to detect the Total levels of Anxiety, also in their factor of Physical Symptoms, Social Anxiety, Harm Avoidance, and Separation Anxiety; 2) the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) to detect the Total levels of Alexithymia, also in their factor of Difficulty to Identifying and to Describing Feelings and Externally Oriented Thinking.ResultsTTH outcome positively correlated with Harm Avoidance (rho=.68, p&lt;.001) and Total Alexithymia (rho=.72, p&lt;.001). In a logistic regression, Harm Avoidance and Total Alexithymia predicted 69% of the variance in TTH outcome (p&lt;.032).ConclusionsThis disorder may be a maladaptive strategy to cope with problems and feeling emotions, then early adolescents could be fostered in the acquisition of more adaptive emotion regulation abilities.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Predictive and discriminant validity of different psychopathology and temperament scales for major psychiatric disorders – 23-year follow-up of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966

Introduction Several psychological and psychiatric instruments have been developed to recognize or predict different psychiatric disorders.ObjectivesWe studied the predictive, and discriminant validity of different psychopathology scales and temperament traits for subsequent psychiatric diagnoses due to schizophrenia, bipolar and depressive disorders in a 23-year follow-up.MethodsTemperament traits, perceptual aberration, physical and social anhedonia, depression and anxiety subscales of Symptom Checklist (SCL-D and SCL-A), Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS), Schizoidia Scale, and Bipolar II Scale were completed as part of the 31-year follow-up survey of the prospective Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort (n = 5006). New onset psychiatric diagnoses were followed until age of 54 years using different nationwide registers.Results In the follow-up 28 (0.6%) individuals had diagnosis of schizophrenia, 40 (0.8%) bipolar and 405 (8.1%) depressive disorders. Several of the included scales associated statistically significantly with subsequent diagnoses. High SCL-A and SCL-D scores were strong predictors (Cohen’s d’s between 0.76 and 1.08) for schizophrenia and depressive disorders, whereas high HPS score was best predictor (d=0.67) for bipolar disorders. When comparing patient groups, schizophrenia group had low scores in reward dependence when compared with both bipolar (d=-0.80) and depressive (d=-0.66) disorders. Harm avoidance was the best trait to discriminate depressive and bipolar disorders, with higher scores in depressive disorders (d=0.48).ConclusionsInterestingly we found that differed psychopathology scales were strong but non-specific predictors for these psychiatric disorders, whereas temperament traits were useful predictors regarding discriminating these disorders. The presented scales can be used in population samples when predicting psychiatric illnesses.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

The role of personality traits in following quarantine orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients’ personalities seem to affect their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the association of personality traits and characteristics of Iranian COVID-19 outpatients with their compliance to nonmandatory quarantine orders. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020-2021 on 97 COVID-19 outpatients. The temperament and character inventory-revised short version (TCI-RS) and a self-report checklist assessing compliance with quarantine orders were used to collect data. SPSS was used to analyze the data and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of 142 patients who were contacted, 97 participated in the study (68% response rate). The mean age of patients was 39.21 ± 10.27 years and 54 (55.7%) of them were men. Compliance with quarantine orders was correlated with cooperativeness (r = 0.33; P = 0.001), persistence (r = 0.23, P = 0.020), self-transcendence (r = 0.27, P = 0.006) and harm avoidance (r = -0.26, P = 0.008). Linear regression analysis demonstrated persistence (P = 0.034), cooperativeness (P = 0.008) and being married (P = 0.002) as predictors for following the quarantine orders. Lower levels of cooperativeness, persistence, self-transcendence, and higher levels of harm avoidance are associated with noncompliance with quarantine orders. These traits should be considered while persuasive communication to the public is formulated to recognize the target population and increase compliance with nonmandatory quarantine orders.

Do temperament and character make sense in reducing nurse turnover? The role of professional capabilities improvement

ABSTRACT Background A critical shortage of nurses worldwide makes research necessary to address the problem. Research examining whether and how temperament and character may lead to nurses’ professional turnover intention can offer insights to address the nurse shortage issue. Purpose To examine the impact of temperament and character on nurses’ intention and actions to improve professional capabilities and professional turnover intention. Method This study surveyed 502 nurses in a major medical centre in Taiwan in 2018. The measures came from the literature. Structural Equation Modeling was used for analysis. Results Self-directedness, cooperativeness, and persistence were positively related to intention (or actions) to improve professional capabilities. Harm avoidance was negatively related to actions to improve professional capabilities. Such actions were subsequently negatively related to nurses’ professional turnover intention. Conclusions This study contributes to the literature by being the first to clarify how nurses’ temperament and character dimensions may lead to professional turnover intention. Implications for Healthcare Managers Our findings contribute insights for healthcare managers, i.e. they should pay particular attention to nurses with high levels of harm avoidance or low levels of persistence, self-directedness, and cooperativeness to retain nurses and, thus, improve the quality of a healthcare system.

Correlation between loneliness, personality traits, and treatment outcomes in patients with methamphetamine use disorder

The aim of this study was to investigate whether loneliness and personality traits correlate with the treatment outcome of methamphetamine use disorder. In this 1-year longitudinal study, a total 106 participants (98 males, 8 females), with a mean age 36.3 ± 9.6 years were enrolled. We measured UCLA Loneliness Scale and Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire at baseline, while craving level at baseline, week 12, 24, 36, and 48. Urinary methamphetamine tests were given 17 times. For the evaluation of the data, multiple linear regression and generalized linear mixed models were used. The baseline results showed lower levels of the harm avoidance trait and higher levels of loneliness were significantly associated with higher craving levels (p=0.04 and 0.04). Moreover, loneliness was not only positively associated with craving levels (B=0.05, p<0.01) but with urinary methamphetamine positive results (B= 0.08, p=0.03) during one-year treatment. The findings suggested that loneliness was associated with poor methamphetamine treatment outcome (greater craving levels and higher proportion of positive methamphetamine urine tests) and lower harm avoidance traits are associated with higher craving levels.

Born to Be a Risky Driver? The Relationship Between Cloninger's Temperament and Character Traits and Risky Driving.

Temperament refers to basic, largely inherited, relatively stable personality traits which have been present since early childhood. Considering the very fundamental role of temperament in human development and behaviour, it is reasonable to assume that temperament is also related to risky driving and drivers’ view of themselves as drivers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between Cloninger’s temperament dimensions, risky driving and drivers’ view of their perceptual motor and safety skills. The sample consisted of 335 Turkish drivers (aged 19–57; 53.7% men) who completed an Internet-based survey including Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) and Driver Skill Inventory (DSI). Correlation analyses showed that TCI scale Cooperativeness correlated negatively with all DBQ scales indicating risky driving and positively with safety skills. In regression analyses after controlling age, gender and lifetime mileage, cooperativeness still was significantly related to all DBQ scales and safety skills. Persistence correlated negatively with ordinary violations, lapses and errors and positively with perceptual motor skills. In regression analyses, persistence was related to errors and lapses. Reward dependence was positively related to lapses and harm avoidance negatively to perceptual motor skills. The results of the present study indicate that largely innate temperament character traits may influence an individual’s predisposition to risky driving. Future studies about temperament and risky driving with larger samples allowing sub-group analyses are needed.