Avoidant Traits Research Articles

Childhood predictors of avoidant personality disorder traits in adolescence: a seven-wave birth cohort study.

Although it is widely assumed that avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) originates in childhood, there is little prospective research to substantiate this claim. We therefore aimed to determine whether presumed childhood risk factors predict AvPD traits at 16 years. A population-based sample (n = 1,077; 50.9% female) from the 2003 and 2004 birth cohorts in (blinded for review) Norway was examined biennially from 4 to 16 years. The number of AvPD traits at the age of 16 was assessed with the structured clinical interview for DSM-5 personality disorders and regressed on the intercept and growth in child risk and protective factors until the age of 14. The prevalence of AvPD at the age of 16 was 3.2% (95% CI: 2.2-4.1). Higher levels and an increased number of social anxiety symptoms over time, as well as increased negative affectivity/neuroticism, predicted a higher number of AvPD traits. When the levels and changes in these factors were adjusted for, less and decreasing extraversion forecasted more AvPD traits, as did declining self-worth, higher levels of parental AvPD traits, and increased onlooking behavior. Neuroticism, low extraversion, social anxiety symptoms, passive onlooking behavior, and low self-worth predicted a higher number of AvPD traits in adolescence, as did more AvPD traits in parents. Efforts to enhance self-worth, reduce social anxiety, and promote peer interaction among onlooking children may reduce the development of AvPD traits in adolescence.

Brain morphological analysis in mice with hyperactivation of the hedgehog signaling pathway.

Hedgehog signaling is a highly conserved pathway that plays pivotal roles in morphogenesis, tumorigenesis, osteogenesis, and wound healing. Previous investigations in patients with Gorlin syndrome found low harm avoidance traits, and increased volumes in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and cerebral ventricles, suggesting the association between brain morphology and the constitutive hyperactivation of hedgehog signaling, while the changes of regional brain volumes in upregulated hedgehog signaling pathway remains unclear so far. Herein, we investigated comprehensive brain regional volumes using quantitative structural brain MRI, and identified increased volumes of amygdala, striatum, and pallidum on the global segmentation, and increased volumes of the lateral and medial parts of the central nucleus of the amygdala on the detail segmentation in Ptch heterozygous deletion mice. Our data may enhance comprehension of the association between brain morphogenic changes and hyperactivity in hedgehog signaling.

Social Anxiety among Middle-Aged Teachers in Secondary Education Schools.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of social anxiety symptoms (SASs) and its associated factors among middle-aged teachers in secondary education schools. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2023 to March 2024 among 341 secondary education schoolteachers aged 45-59 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, involving an online survey. Effects of psychosocial variables on SASs were investigated, including attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, neuroticism and extraversion personality traits, loneliness, perceived social stress, job burnout, and anxiety and depression. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of SASs. This study found that 98 out of 341 (28.7%) teachers presented SASs. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that marital status (β = 0.103, 95% CI [0.437, 3.404]), income (β = 0.087, 95% CI [0.049, 3.758]), extraversion (β = -0.179, 95% CI [-0.573, -0.198]), attachment anxiety (β = 0.165, 95% CI [0.106, 0.359]), attachment avoidance (β = 0.145, 95% CI [0.066, 0.243]), depression (β = 0.242, 95% CI [0.248, 0.862]), loneliness (β = 0.182, 95% CI [0.099, 0.580]), and perceived social stress (β = 0.235, 95% CI [0.131, 0.373]) were significant predictors of SASs, explaining 51.1% of the variance. This study discovered a relatively high prevalence of SASs among middle-aged secondary schoolteachers.

Tasks at hand or more challenges: The roles of regulatory focus and job insecurity in predicting work behaviours

AbstractPrevious studies have explored the effects of trait regulatory focus on routine performance and proactive behaviour yet failed to reveal the underlying motivational mechanisms and investigate how these effects may operate in uncertain environments. To fill this gap, our study first draws upon regulatory focus theory to examine the motivational mechanisms linking trait regulatory focus with routine performance and challenge‐seeking behaviour (i.e., a type of proactive behaviour). We hypothesize that trait prevention focus improves routine performance but reduces challenge‐seeking behaviour via avoidance motivation, whereas trait promotion focus increases routine performance and challenge‐seeking behaviour through approach motivation. Incorporating trait activation theory, we further theorize that uncertainty that threatens individuals' security needs (i.e., quantitative job insecurity) strengthens trait prevention focus effects, while uncertainty that threatens individuals' growth needs (i.e., qualitative job insecurity) weakens trait promotion focus effects. Analysing two‐wave data from 275 employees and 58 supervisors, we found that (a) trait prevention focus had an unconditional positive indirect effect on employee self‐reported routine performance via increased avoidance motivation and (b) trait promotion focus had positive indirect effects on employee self‐reported and supervisor‐rated routine performance and challenge‐seeking behaviour via enhanced approach motivation, with these effects stronger at lower levels of qualitative job insecurity.

The association between early regulatory problems and adult peer relationship quality is mediated by the brain's allostatic-interoceptive system.

Early regulatory problems (RPs), i.e., problems with crying, sleeping, and/or feeding during the first years, increase the risk for avoidant personality traits in adulthood, associated with social withdrawal and anxiety. Even more, RPs are linked with functional alterations in the adult default mode and salience networks, comprising the brain's allostatic-interoceptive system (AIS) and playing a role in social interactions. We investigated whether RPs assessed in infancy are associated with difficulties in adult peer relationships mediated by functional alterations of the AIS. As part of a large case-controlled prospective study, 42 adults with previous RPs and 70 matched controls (mean age = 28.48, SD = 2.65, 51% male) underwent fMRI during rest. The analysis focused on the intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) of key nodes of the AIS. Peer relationship quality was assessed via a semi-structured Life Course Interview and the YASR scale. In these same individuals, RPs were assessed at ages 5, 20 and 56 months. RPs in infancy were associated with lower-quality peer relationships and enhanced functional connectivity of the AIS nodes in adulthood, with a stronger effect for multiple and persistent RPs compared with transient-multiple or single-persistent RPs. Importantly, iFC changes of the dorsal mid insula, a primary interoceptive cortex with frontal and temporal regions, mediated the relationship between early RPs and adult peer relationship quality. Results indicate long-lasting social and neural changes associated with early RPs. Our findings further implicate the AIS in both interoceptive and social processes, while indicating the need for early screening of early RPs.

Maladaptive personality traits are associated with burnout risk in Italian anesthesiologists and intensivists: a secondary analysis from a cross-sectional study

BackgroundBurnout is a maladaptive response to chronic stress, particularly prevalent among clinicians. Anesthesiologists are at risk of burnout, but the role of maladaptive traits in their vulnerability to burnout remains understudied.MethodsA secondary analysis was performed on data from the Italian Association of Hospital Anesthesiologists, Pain Medicine Specialists, Critical Care, and Emergency (AAROI-EMAC) physicians. The survey included demographic data, burnout assessment using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and subscales (emotional exhaustion, MBI-EE; depersonalization, MBI-DP; personal accomplishment, MBI-PA), and evaluation of personality disorders (PDs) based on DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition) criteria using the assessment of DSM-IV PDs (ADP-IV). We investigated the aggregated scores of maladaptive personality traits as predictor variables of burnout. Subsequently, the components of personality traits were individually assessed.ResultsOut of 310 respondents, 300 (96.77%) provided complete information. The maladaptive personality traits global score was associated with the MBI-EE and MBI-DP components. There was a significant negative correlation with the MBI-PA component. Significant positive correlations were found between the MBI-EE subscale and the paranoid (r = 0.42), borderline (r = 0.39), and dependent (r = 0.39) maladaptive personality traits. MBI-DP was significantly associated with the passive-aggressive (r = 0.35), borderline (r = 0.33), and avoidant (r = 0.32) traits. Moreover, MBI-PA was negatively associated with dependent (r = − 0.26) and avoidant (r = − 0.25) maladaptive personality features.ConclusionsThere is a significant association between different maladaptive personality traits and the risk of experiencing burnout among anesthesiologists. This underscores the importance of understanding and addressing personality traits in healthcare professionals to promote their well-being and prevent this serious emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion state.

Distance and grid-like codes support the navigation of abstract social space in the human brain.

People form impressions about others during daily social encounters and infer personality traits from others' behaviors. Such trait inference is thought to rely on two universal dimensions: competence and warmth. These two dimensions can be used to construct a 'social cognitive map' organizing massive information obtained from social encounters efficiently. Originating from spatial cognition, the neural codes supporting the representation and navigation of spatial cognitive maps have been widely studied. Recent studies suggest similar neural mechanism subserves the map-like architecture in social cognition as well. Here we investigated how spatial codes operate beyond the physical environment and support the representation and navigation of social cognitive map. We designed a social value space defined by two dimensions of competence and warmth. Behaviorally, participants were able to navigate to a learned location from random starting locations in this abstract social space. At the neural level, we identified the representation of distance in the precuneus, fusiform gyrus, and middle occipital gyrus. We also found partial evidence of grid-like representation patterns in the medial prefrontal cortex and entorhinal cortex. Moreover, the intensity of grid-like response scaled with the performance of navigating in social space and social avoidance trait scores. Our findings suggest a neurocognitive mechanism by which social information can be organized into a structured representation, namely cognitive map and its relevance to social well-being.

Sleep duration is associated with appetitive traits in school-age years – results from the Generation XXI birth cohort

Sleep may influence appetite regulation through physiological and neurocognitive pathways. However, the association between sleep and appetite in childhood has been scarcely reported, particularly using a prospective design. We aimed to test associations between sleep duration at 7 years of age (y) and appetitive traits at both 7 and 10 y. Participants are from the population-based birth cohort Generation XXI (Porto, Portugal), at 7 (n = 2437) and 10 y (n = 1938) follow-ups. Data on sleep was gathered at 7 y and, considering bedtime and get-up time, total mean sleep duration was calculated and further categorized according to the 10th and 90th percentiles. Appetitive traits were assessed at 7 and 10 y using the parent-reported Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. Associations were tested through Generalized Linear Models (co-variates: child's sex; maternal age, education and pre-pregnancy body mass index at 7 y). At 10 y, associations were further adjusted for the respective appetitive trait at 7 y. Children slept a mean of 10.2 h/night, and 13% and 9% slept ≤9.5 and ≥ 11.0 h/night at 7 y, respectively. For each additional hour in sleep duration, children scored 0.078 (99%CI: −0.145; −0.011) lower on Food Responsiveness, 0.065 (99%CI: −0.129; −0.002) lower on Emotional Undereating and 0.096 (99%CI: −0.161; −0.032) lower on Food Fussiness. Lastly, children sleeping ≤9.5 h/night scored higher on Food Responsiveness (β = 0.145 99%CI: 0.020; 0.271); while those sleeping ≥11.0 h/night scored lower on Food Fussiness (β = −0.255 99%CI: −0.370; −0.079). No significant prospective associations were found. In conclusion, in 7 y children, sleep duration was cross-sectionally associated with lower scores on food approach (Food Responsiveness) and avoidant traits (Emotional Undereating and Food Fussiness). However, the magnitude of the associations was small and further studies are warranted.

TEMPERAMENT AND CHARACTER TRAITS IN PATIENTS WITH OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER.

Personality is an essential variable in order to understand the course of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Among the studies investigating the relationship between OCD and personality traits, the most common finding is that individuals diagnosed with OCD was reported to have higher levels of Harm Avoidance (HA) trait compared to healthy controls. In addition, OCD group was found to have lower scores regarding Self- Directedness (SD), Cooperativeness (C) or Novelty Seeking (NS). The patient group of the study consisted of patients were diagnosed with OCD by SCID-I scanning. The healthy control group had similar age, gender, and educational level characteristics as the patient group. The patients and the control group were asked to fill out a Sociodemographic Data Form, Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety Scales. For the patient group, Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, and Yale-Brown Symptom Checklist were filled out by the clinician who conducted the psychiatric interview. Patients with OCD (n=70) were characterized by higher HA (p<0.001) scores and lower C (p=0.034), and SD (p<0.001) scores than the healthy control group (n=65). When comparing pure OCD patients (n=23) with the healthy control group, their HA scores were higher and the self-transcendence (ST) scores were lower. Compared to the healthy control group, OCD patients with psychiatric comorbidity (n=47) had a higher HA score and a lower SD score. Comorbid OCD patients' SD scores were lower and ST scores were higher compared to the patients with Pure OCD. No significant relationship was found between OCD severity and TCI subscales. Our findings indicate the importance of considering the presence of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses for the evaluation of personality dimensions in OCD patients. The assessment of temperament and character traits in OCD may provide clinical benefit in terms of predicting the prognosis and planning appropriate psychotherapeutic interventions.

An initial test of the contrast avoidance model in bipolar spectrum disorders

The Contrast Avoidance Model suggests that individuals sensitive to negative emotional shifts use prior increases in negative affect to prevent further escalation in response to adverse situations, while the heightened negative affect amplifies positive emotional contrasts when encountering unexpected positive events. Individuals with bipolar spectrum disorders (BSDs), characterized by shifts between (hypo)manic and depressive episodes, may undergo more salient emotional contrasts. Drawing from the Contrast Avoidance Model, the shifts from depression to (hypo)mania can be conceptualized as positive emotional contrasts, potentially heightening the perceived pleasure during (hypo)manic episodes. On the other hand, the shifts from (hypo)manic to depressive episodes can be viewed as negative emotional contrasts, contributing to the challenges associated with depressive states. Despite the intriguing potential of this interplay, the link between the Contrast Avoidance Model and BSDs has never been empirically tested. Our study addressed this gap by examining group differences in contrast avoidance traits between individuals with BSDs, unipolar depression, and healthy controls in a large cohort study (N = 536). Results indicated that individuals with BSDs exhibited significantly higher scores in the total, and Discomfort with Negative Emotional Shifts and Avoidance of Negative Emotional Contrasts/Enhancement of Positive Emotional Contrasts factors, as well as separate item scores on the Contrast Avoidance Questionnaire-General Emotion (CAQ-GE), compared to those with unipolar depression and healthy controls. Although marginal, the BD II subtype demonstrated a stronger inclination to avoid negative emotional contrasts compared to BD I. These findings suggest that contrast avoidance may be a psychological mechanism implicated in BSDs.

The Causes and Consequences of Entrepreneurial Failure Fear: Research Framework and Future Prospects

The fear of entrepreneurial failure is the avoidance trait or negative emotion that entrepreneurs develop towards the consequences of failure. The generation of this avoidance trait or negative emotion is related to the joint interaction of factors such as the entrepreneur's cognition, achievement goals, and environment. It is an important factor that suppresses entrepreneurial willingness and behavior, and may also stimulate entrepreneurial motivation. This article reviews existing literature, analyzes the concept, influencing factors, and outcome variables of entrepreneurial failure fear, and finally proposes a research framework and future research points and directions for entrepreneurial failure fear. Research points: 1. The connotation and role of fear of entrepreneurial failure throughout the entire entrepreneurial process. 2. The fear of entrepreneurial failure has a beneficial impact on entrepreneurship. Research direction: 1. Enrich the connotation and extension of entrepreneurial failure fear, and explore the sources of failure fear in different scenarios. 2. Pay attention to the dynamic patterns of fear of entrepreneurial failure throughout the entire process of entrepreneurship. 3. Research on the mechanisms and factors that contribute to the beneficial impact of fear of entrepreneurial failure.

Polygenic risk for depression predicting temperament trajectories over 15 years – A general population study

BackgroundA great number of case-control and population-based studies have shown that depression patients differ from healthy controls in their temperament traits. We investigated whether polygenic risk for depression predicts trajectories of temperament traits from early adulthood to middle age. MethodsParticipants came from the population-based Young Finns Study (n = 2212). The calculation for Polygenic risk for depression (PRS) was based on the most recent genome-wide association study. Temperament traits of Harm Avoidance, Novelty Seeking, Reward Dependence, and Persistence were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory in 1997, 2001, 2007, and 2012 (participants being 24–50-year-olds). As covariates, we used depressive symptoms as assessed by a modified version of the Beck Depression Inventory, psychosocial family environment from parent-filled questionnaires, and socioeconomic factors from adulthood. ResultsHigh PRS predicted higher Persistence from early adulthood to middle age (p = 0.003) when controlling for depressive symptoms, psychosocial family environment, and socioeconomic factors. PRS did not predict trajectories of Novelty Seeking (p = 0.063–0.416 in different models) or Reward Dependence (p = 0.531–0.736). The results remained unaffected when participants with diagnosed affective disorders were excluded. Additionally, we found an interaction between PRS and depressive symptoms when predicting the Harm Avoidance subscale Anticipatory Worry, indicating that the association of Anticipatory Worry with depressive symptoms is stronger in individuals with higher (vs. lower) PRS. LimitationsThere was some attrition due to the long follow-up. ConclusionsHigh polygenic risk for major depression may predict differences in temperament trajectories among those who have not developed any severe affective disorders.

Appetitive Traits and its Association with Body Composition, Anthropometric Indices and Appearance Anxiety in Adults: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Obesity, a major health hazard in both developed and developing countries, is greatly influenced by an individual’s eating behaviour or appetitive trait. While eating disorders are known to be associated with abnormal body composition and cardio-metabolic risks, on par with metabolic syndrome, knowledge regarding the relationship between appetitive traits and body composition and anthropometric indices is very limited. Aim: To assess the appetitive traits of young and middle-aged individuals and correlate them with their body composition, anthropometric indices, and appearance anxiety. Materials and Methods: Sixty-eight healthy volunteers aged 19-45 years were included in this cross-sectional study. The appetitive traits, appearance anxiety, and perceived body shape of the study participants were assessed using the Adult Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (AEBQ), Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and Contour Drawing Rating Scale (CDRS). Body composition was assessed using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). The correlation between appetitive trait scores and the study parameters was assessed using the Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient test. Comparison of appetitive traits between males and females was done using the Independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. A p-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were 43 males and 25 females. Significant negative correlations were observed between food avoidance scores and body composition parameters such as BMI, waistto-height ratio, lean mass, dry lean weight, body cell mass, basal metabolic rate, and Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI). While food approach behaviour was similar between females and males, the overall food avoidance behaviour trait (53.4±11.2 vs. 47.26±9.09, p=0.016) and satiety responsiveness (12.28±3.2 vs. 10.51±2.93, p=0.024) were significantly more pronounced in females than in males. Moreover, the food avoidance behaviour of females revealed significant negative correlations with BMI, fat mass, lean mass, body cell mass, basal metabolic rate, Body Fat Mass Index (BFMI), free-fat mass index, and CDRS scores. Conclusion: The food avoidance trait is associated with abnormal changes in specific body composition parameters in adults. Satiety responsiveness and body dis-satisfaction related to being overweight are more common among young females and are associated with abnormal changes in their body composition.

Toward a More Nuanced Perspective on Detachment: Differentiating Schizoid and Avoidant Personality Styles through Qualities of the Self-Representation

Avoidant personality disorder was introduced in DSM-III (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1980), and debate persists regarding the utility of having two separate variants of the “detached personality.” The present study addressed this issue through ratings of open-ended self-descriptions provided by community adults with high scores on schizoid versus avoidant personality traits (N = 229). The self-concept of individuals with avoidant personality style reflected a lack of positive self-regard and low self-efficacy/agency. Regarding schizoid personalities, neither positive nor negative self-regard, self-complexity, or self-efficacy/agency was found. Examination of specific variables yielded a relationship between avoidant personality styles, depression, and anxiety, consistent with literature noting simultaneous desire and fear of interpersonal relationships in avoidant patients (APA, 1980; Sheldon & West, 1990). Similarly, examination of individual variables yielded a negative association between schizoid personality styles and tolerance for contradictory aspects of the self, consistent with theoretical writings in this area (Kernberg, 1976; McWilliams, 2006). Results support the argument that these two personality styles represent distinct constructs. Findings support the utility of self-concept assessment to assist treatment planning and differential diagnosis. Treatment implications include using open-ended descriptions of patients’ self-concepts to explore changes that may not be accessible via more structured forms of patient self-report.

Aggressive investment choices – Do cultural values and past investing experiences play a role?

PurposeThe study assesses impact of individual cultural values on investment choices (aggressive or conservative), of 450 investors with behavioural biases and risk propensity in serial as mediators in the relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe study used serial mediation analysis using Hayes model 6 for creating six models.FindingsFindings of the study indicated that individualism traits are inclined to aggressive investment choices due to presence of overconfidence biases. Uncertainty avoidance and longtermism traits of investors resulted in aggressive investment choices due to presence of herd mentality bias. The moderating impact of past investing experiences was found significant.Originality/valueThe study indicates the importance of cultural values and past investing experiences of investors that may develop biases to assess investment choices and decisions of investors.

The Functional State of Emotion-Motivational Brain Regulatory Systems and Risk-Taking Propensity in Adolescents

The aim of this study was to identify relationships between the functional state of the different brain regulatory systems (BRS), voluntary control and emotional-motivational regulation in adolescents (n = 95, age ~13.96 ± 1.13, girls 34%). We also analyzed the relationship between individual characteristics of emotional-motivational regulation and risk-taking tendencies in separated groups with specific EEG signs of suboptimal functional state of the BRS. Five tests were performed: 1) assessment of individual traits of achievement motivation vs. failure avoidance using the Mehrabian Questionnaire (TMD), 2) emotional intelligence (EI) using the MSCEIT 2.0, 3) assessment of propensity to risky decision-making by monetary computer game Baloon Analog Risk Task. On the basis of a qualitative analysis of the EEG, 4) the participants were classified into groups showing evidence of suboptimal functioning of the frontothalamic (FTS), limbic (LMB), frontobasal (FBZ) and to control group in the case of absence of specific signes. All groups, except control, showed a decrease in the EI scale, which associate sensations with emotions. A specific decrease in EI indicators was found in experimental groups in comparison with the control group: FTS – on the scale of understanding blended emotions; LMB — on the scale of facilitation of cognitive activity by emotions; FBZ group — on a scale reflecting the ability to manage one’s own emotions. The indicators of the Mehrabian questionnaire showed propensity towards achievement motivation in the LMB. Correlations between EI, achievement motivation and risk-taking: in FTS, LMB a positive correlation of the risk-taking with the scale associate sensations with emotions. For LMB there is also a positive correlation between risk-taking, understanding and management of emotions. The results are discussed in terms of the influence of the suboptimal state of brain regulatory systems on the emotional and motivational regulation in adolescents.

Replication of the associations of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy with interview-assessed symptoms and impairment: Convergence with previous studies.

Schizophrenia-spectrum psychopathology appears best understood as being expressed across a continuum of clinical and subclinical symptoms and impairment referred to as schizotypy. This brief report describes a comprehensive replication study examining the associations of positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy with interview ratings of impairment, psychopathology, and personality pathology in a sample of 161 young adults. Consistent with past studies, positive, negative, and disorganized schizotypy had distinct and hypothesized associations with symptoms and impairment. Positive schizotypy was associated with prodromal symptoms and schizotypal, paranoid, and borderline personality traits. Negative schizotypy was associated with impaired functioning, negative symptoms, and schizoid, schizotypal, and paranoid traits, as well as any broad personality disorder diagnosis; it was also associated with never having dated. Disorganized schizotypy was associated with impaired functioning, disorganized schizotypic experiences, attentional deficits, and schizotypal, paranoid, borderline, and avoidant personality traits, as well as depression. Overall, we successfully replicated findings from five previous schizotypy interview studies, supporting the construct validity of the multidimensional model of schizotypy and the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Hydraulic Traits in Populus simonii Carr. at Stands of Categorized Ages in a Semi-Arid Area of Western Liaoning, Northeast China

Poplar plantations can acclimate to drought stress in semi-arid areas, where the variation of stand age may result in varied water adaptation strategies presented as hydrodynamic performance. In this study, nine mature Populus simonii Carr. individuals were targeted as sampling objects in plantations characterized to three stand ages: young (9 yr), middle-aged (17 yr), and near-mature (29 yr) stages in a semi-arid area of western Liaoning, Northeast China. Hydraulic traits were investigated as parameters of leaf pressure-volume curves, xylem embolism vulnerability curves, hydraulic structure, and wood density (WD). Results showed that osmotic potential (Ψtlp) and relative water content at the turgor loss point and cell-wall bulk elastic modulus were lowest in middle-aged stands (−2.19 MPa; 86.71%; 13.75 MPa). Stem and leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks and LSC) were all the highest in middle-aged stands. Xylem embolism vulnerability (P50) and lethal water potential of trees (P88) increased with the growth of stand age. Young stands faced minimal risk of hydraulic failure according to the stomatal safety margin (SSMtlp, Ψtlp minus P50), which was consistent with the comprehensive evaluation results of the principal component analysis. WD was related to P88 (R2= 0.51; p &lt; 0.05). P50 was related to drought avoidance traits Ψtlp (r = 0.76; p &lt; 0.05) but not to xylem efficiency (Ks). Overall, WD can be an excellent proxy for hydraulic safety monitoring. Young and middle-aged Populus simonii populations are more adaptable to drought conditions than near-mature populations, and near-mature stands should receive intermediate cuttings to avoid exposure to drought stress.

Nasal obstruction in adults: how it affects psychological status?

This study investigated the psychological status of patients with unilateral or bilateral complete nasal obstruction. The study included 49 consecutive cases of unilateral or bilateral complete nasal obstruction. In order to assess participants' personality traits, both groups completed the Personality Belief Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form, Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory. The groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics. Patients with unilateral or bilateral complete nasal obstruction had higher scores on all the psychological assessments compared with the healthy controls, except for the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Although all personality assessment scores were higher in patients, the only differences that were statistically significant were in the dependent, antisocial and avoidant personality trait scores. The psychological conditions of patients with structural deformities that cause nasal obstruction may be affected, and appropriate treatment should be provided to improve their symptoms and quality of life.

Personality disorder traits, maladaptive schemas, modes and coping styles in participants with complex dissociative disorders, borderline personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder.

The schema mode model offers a new conceptualisation of complex dissociative disorders (CDD) as it explains shifts between identities as shifts between schema modes. Furthermore, in this model CDD is conceived as personality pathology, incorporating core features of personality disorders. This study tested the assumptions of this schema mode model of CDD. Questionnaires measuring personality disorder traits, schemas, schema modes and coping styles were filled out by patients with CDD, borderline personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder (N = 210), and their scores on the various constructs were compared. Participants with CDD were characterised by specific schizoid, schizotypal, borderline and avoidant personality traits and early maladaptive schemas in the domains of disconnection and rejection and over-vigilance and inhibition. The most pronounced schema modes were the dysfunctional parent modes, avoidant coping modes and the vulnerable child mode. For coping styles, no differences were found between the diagnostic groups. On all outcome measures participants with CDD scored at the level of personality disorders and showed a unique pattern different from participants with borderline and avoidant personality disorder. This suggests that CDD shows features akin to a personality disorder. A clinical implication is that an adapted form of schema therapy might present a viable treatment option for CDD.