Formal Characteristics Of Behavior-Temperament Inventory Research Articles

Assessment of activation, intensity and duration of positive and negative emotions: psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Perth Emtional Reactivity Scale - Short Form.

The Perth Emotional Reactivity Scale - Short Form (PERS-S) is an 18-item self-report questionnaire that assesses emotional reactivity. The PERS-S measures activation, intensity, and duration of negative and positive emotions. The study aims to validate the Polish version of the PERS-S. The study was performed on a sample of 675 people aged 18-80 (M = 28.88, SD = 13.17, 56.15% female). The factor structure and measurement invariance across gender, age and educational categories were verified with confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent and divergent validity were assessed based on the relationship between the PERS-S scale and the Emotional Reactivity scale taken from the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour-Temperament Inventory, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and the Subjective Vitality Scale. The intended 6-factor model was an excellent fit for the data (CFI = .963; TLI = .953; RMSEA = .053, 90% CI [.046; .061]; SRMR = .057) and was invariant across gender, educational level and age groups. All PERS-S subscales correlated with another emotional reactivity questionnaire, stress, emotion regulation strategies, well-being and vitality as expected. The reliability was high for all subscales (α > .70); it was slightly lower only for the positive-activation subscale (α = .68). Due to gender differences in emotional reactivity traits, group norms (sten scale) were calculated separately for females and males. The Polish version of the PERS-S has strong psychometric properties. Its practical applications are discussed.

Temperament profiles and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: A comparative study between uniformed services, HIV-infected patients and a nonclinical sample

This study aimed to explore heterogeneity in temperament traits, as described by the regulative theory of temperament (RTT), in a sample of HIV-positive patients and uniformed services personnel who have experienced various traumatic events. In addition, we wanted to examine if the profiles of these samples that were extracted based on RTT traits differ in the intensity of their posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The total study sample consisted of 1160 participants, including 417 uniformed services personnel, 310 HIV-positive individuals and 432 adults from the general population without declared traumatic experiences. The participants from the clinical samples completed the PTSD-Factorial Version (PTSD-F) questionnaire, and all study groups completed the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour – Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI). Latent profile analysis showed unique temperament profiles in the clinical samples, differing in RTT traits and PTSD intensity compared with the general population. The person-centred approach to personality and temperament provides insights beyond what can be attained using a variable-centred framework. In particular, there is no single pattern of isolated temperament traits as PTSD risk factors.

Changes in temperament traits associated with remission of PTSD symptoms after pharmacology, psychotherapy and combined treatment in a sample of participants in motor vehicle accidents

The goal of the study was to examine whether treatments of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with psychotherapy (PE), pharmacotherapy (paroxetine) and their combination would result in changes in temperament towards a pattern of increasing stimulation processing capacity. We assumed that temperament changes might be recorded in participants with posttreatment remission of PTSD. The research question was whether all treatment modalities used in the study would lead to the same changes in temperament. Data from 135 patients who had completed therapy were randomly assigned to a twelve-week treatment of PE, paroxetine or combined treatments and were analysed. Temperamental traits were assessed by the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour-Temperament Inventory before and after treatment and at the one-year follow-up, and PTSD symptoms were assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders and a Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale. The results showed that temperament changes were observed only in subjects with remission of PTSD symptoms regardless of treatment modality and were maintained at follow-up. In conclusion, the study indicates that temperament traits change under effective treatment of PTSD towards a pattern of increased stimulation processing capacities. Despite the mechanisms of change, pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions influence this process.

The Association between Temperament, Chronotype, Depressive Symptoms, and Disease Activity among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease-A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

The psychological aspect may play an important role in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The aims of this study were to explore the differences between patients with UC and CD regarding chronotype, temperament and depression, and to assess the psychological factors mentioned as predictors of disease activity. In total, n = 37 patients with UC and n = 47 patients with CD were included in the study. They underwent a clinical assessment, including the Mayo score or Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and completed questionnaires: a sociodemographic survey, Formal Characteristics of Behavior–Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI), Chronotype Questionnaire (CQ), and the Beck Depression Index II (BDI). The Sensory Sensitivity score was higher among patients with CD than UC (p = 0.04). The emotional reactivity and endurance scores were higher among women than men with CD (p = 0.028 and p = 0.012 respectively). CQ Morningness–Eveningness (ME) correlated with Endurance (p = 0.041), Emotional Reactivity (p = 0.016), and Activity (p = 0.004). ME correlated with Rhythmicity among CD patients (p = 0.002). The Mayo score was predicted by Perseverance. The CDAI score was predicted by the BDI score. The pattern of the relationship between chronotype and temperament may differentiate patients with UC and CD. Personal disposition may play a role in the clinical assessment of patients with IBD.

Emotional stress as a risk factor of voice disorders in professional singers

Introduction : Opera singers are professionals whose voices are extremely heavily burdened, not only due to repertoire, but also due to the hourly workload of the voice and its unique use resulting from the specificity of the profession. Singers are required to fill very large concert halls with their singing and must deal with immediate feedback from the audience which is associated with a lot of stress. Stage fright, as a type of stress, is a phenomenon that takes place over a period of time and has a triple dimension: pre-concert stage fright during which the musician prepares for a performance, concert stage fright which involves a sense of a lack of control over the performance, and post-concert stage fright, i.e. retrospection of the work and the assessment of whether the quality of the performance met the expectations set by oneself and by others. Although certain personality traits are crucial for coping with stressful situations, they are not taken into account during the recruitment process for vocal studies or applications to work in the opera. Voice disorders may cause problems and have negative economic consequences for professional singers. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of voice disorders among people working in professional opera theaters as singers with regard to their temperament and personality traits, and the influence of such disorders on the levels of stress in this professional group. Materials and methods : The study involved 225 singers, employed in 6 randomly chosen opera theaters in Poland: the Grand Theater of the National Opera in Warsaw, the Grand Theater in Poznan, Opera Nova in Bydgoszcz, the Grand Theater in Łodź, Wroclaw, and the Castle Opera in Szczecin. The research instruments were: the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), the Neuroticism Ekstraversion Openness–Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), the Formal Characteristics of Behavior–Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI), and the author’s questionnaire. Results : Voice disorders were found in 57.3% of respondents (n = 129; p ≤ 0.001). Significant relationships were observed between voice disorders and noise in the workplace (60.4%; p = 0.023). As well as this, the risk of infection in the workplace was an important contributor to voice disorders indicated by 93% of the whole study group and 96.9% of participants with voice disorders (n = 129; p = 0.008). Singers with voice disorders suffered from chronic sinusitis [X 2 (1) = 5.407; p < 0.05] and bronchial asthma [X 2 (1) = 4.565; p < 0.05] significantly more often. Respondents with voice disorders were characterized by higher neuroticism i.e., the personality trait which increases susceptibility to stress (n = 129; p = 0.012). Conclusions : 1. It seems reasonable to create interdisciplinary teams monitoring the process of a professional singers’ education. 2. Neuroticism increased the susceptibility of professional singers to stress, and thus predisposed them to voice disorders. 3. An increased risk of infection as well as noise in the workplace are significant external factors contributing to voice disorders in professional singers. 4. Higher emotional reactivity and perseverance may predispose to an increased incidence of voice disorders among singers. As such, there is a need for a psychologist in an interdisciplinary team dealing with these professionals, both during their education and work. 5. The coexistence of somatic diseases, associated with higher neuroticism translates into increased susceptibility to stress, and thus, a higher incidence of voice disorders.

Self-Reported Cognitive Functions Predict the Trajectory of Paranoid Ideation Over a 15-Year Prospective Follow-Up

BackgroundThis study investigated whether self-reported cognitive functions (i.e. task orientation, distractibility, persistence, flexibility, and perseverance) predict the trajectory of paranoid ideation over a 15-year prospective follow-up in adulthood.MethodsThe participants came from the population-based Young Finns study (N = 1210‒1213). Paranoid ideation was assessed with the Paranoid Ideation Scale of the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90R) in 1997, 2001, 2007, and 2012. Self-reported cognitive functions were evaluated in 1997 with the Task orientation, Distractibility, Persistence, and Flexibility scales of the DOTS-R (the Revised Dimensions of Temperament Survey) and the Perseverance scale of the FCB-TI (the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour – Temperament Inventory). The data was analyzed using growth curve models that were adjusted for age, sex, and socioeconomic factors in childhood and adulthood.ResultsLow self-reported task orientation, low persistence, high distractibility, low flexibility, and high perseverance predicted higher level of paranoid ideation over the 15-year follow-up.ConclusionsSelf-reported cognitive functions seem to predict paranoid ideation over a long-term follow-up. Promoting cognitive functions in early interventions may have long-term protective influences against the development of paranoid ideation in non-clinical populations.

Cechy temperamentu i style radzenia sobie ze stresem jako predyktory wypalenia zawodowego u pielęgniarek psychiatrycznych

Among the predictors of the staff burnout, the temperament and styles of coping with stress are indicated. The superior goal of the presented researches was to examine the degree to which both temperamental traits and specific styles of proceeding in the face of stressful situations are explaining the variability of the results in the area of staff burnout among psychiatric nurses. To accomplish this goal, the studies were carried out, in which 60 women working in psychiatric medical care sector were examined. In experimental project, three methods of psychologic survey were applied, such as 1) the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour – Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI) by J. Strelau and B. Zawadzki (FCZ-KT), 2) the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) by N.S. Endler and J.D.A. Parker, 3) the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). The statistical analysis carried out allowed the confirmation of predictive role of sensorial sensitivity, task style and emotional style in the staff burnout. In case of avoiding style and other five temperamental traits, there is no reason to consider these variables the predictors of staff burnout. The results of the studies carried out suggests that in the psychological or therapeutic assistance provided to psychiatric nurses: 1) to a greater extent it is needed to concentrate more on strengthening active involvement in solving the occupational problems than on realising the harmfulness of avoiding tendencies in the area of coping, 2) it seems important to shape the ability of aware experiencing the negative emotions revealing in contact with the psychiatric patient.

Emotion regulation mediates the effects of temperament traits and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms on affect in motor vehicle accident survivors

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to investigate the associations among temperament traits postulated by the Regulative Theory of Temperament (RTT), posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD symptoms), emotion regulation strategies, and affect in the 280 motor vehicle survivors (MVA). MethodsTemperament was measured with the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour–Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI), the level of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms was assessed by the PTSD Clinical Inventory (PTSD-C), emotion regulation was tested with the Polish adaptation of the Inventory of Cognitive Affect Regulation Strategies (ICARUS), and affect was evaluated by the Polish version of the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). ResultsGreater emotional reactivity was associated with grater negative affect (also by maladaptive regulation) and lower positive affect whereas greater activity was linked to grater positive affect (also via adaptive regulation). Furthermore, greater PTSD symptoms were related to greater negative affect (also through maladaptive regulation) and lower positive affect. However, PTSD symptoms were not linked to adaptive regulation strategies. ConclusionThe findings significantly extends our current knowledge on the associations among temperament traits, PTSD symptoms, emotion regulation strategies, and affect in the motor vehicle survivors.

The association between COMT rs4680 and OPRM1 rs1799971 polymorphisms and temperamental traits in combat athletes

The aim of this study is to analyse associations between functional polymorphisms in the COMT and OPRM1 genes and temperamental traits in athletes.The study involved 364 healthy men, aged 18 to 43years. 199 combat athletes participated in the experimental group. The control group consisted of 165 healthy men. All subjects were genotyped for common variants of the COMT and OPRM1 genes, and were included in a case-control study.Temperament was measured with the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour – Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI).The scores for temperament traits obtained by the athletes were lower with regard to perseveration and emotional reactivity, and higher with regard to endurance, when compared to the control group.When analysing the OPRM1 rs1799971 genotype in relation to temperamental traits, athletes carrying at least one minor G allele were characterized by higher sensitivity when compared with AA wild-type homozygotes. However, such an association was not observed in the controls. In the case of the COMT rs4680 variant studied, among the athletes, homozygous GG subjects were characterized by lower sensitivity, compared to the A allele carriers. On the other hand, AA homozygotes presented lower endurance than G allele carriers.

Temperament and chronotype among academic athletes – perspective of the regulative theory of temperament

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; The aim of the research was to evaluate the relationship between chronotype and temperamental traits and temperament structure specified in the Regulative Theory of Temperament among physical education students who are actively engaged in sport. The analyses were performed separately in groups of men, women, and individual and team sports representatives. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Participants and procedure &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; The study included 157 participants (women n = 35, men n = 122; individual sports n = 88 and team sports n = 69). Measures used in the study were the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour – Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI) and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Among women and men chronotype was positively correlated with Briskness (BR) and Endurance (EN). In women chronotype was negatively related to Emotional Reactivity (ER). Sensory Sensitivity (SS) was positively associated with chronotype in men. In the individual sport group chronotype was associated with four temperamental traits: BR, EN, ER (negatively) and SS. Activity (AC) significantly correlated with chronotype in the team sport group. Two out of three indicators of temperament structure – potential for stimulation processing (MPS) and structure harmony parameter (Zh1) – were related to chronotype in both genders. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; The results obtained in the present research indicate that temperament is significantly related to chronotype. Evening chronotype men and women might be overstimulated and morning types might be understimulated. These data might be useful for coaches and provide a guide for further individualization of the training process.

Temperamental predictors of subjective well-being from early adolescence to mid-life: The role of temporal and energetic regulation.

We investigated links between temperament traits described in Strelau's Regulative Theory of Temperament (Emotional Reactivity, Briskness, Activity, Endurance, Perseveration and Sensory Sensitivity) and subjective well‐being (SWB)—Positive Affect, Negative Affect and Life Satisfaction as conceptualised by Diener. Participants representing early (n = 166) and late adolescence (n = 199), early (n = 195) and mid‐adulthood (n = 156) filled out Formal Characteristics of Behaviour—Temperament Inventory, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results showed that higher Briskness, Endurance, Activity, lower Perseveration and Emotional Reactivity corresponded with higher SWB. They predicted 16% of affective components' and 7% of satisfaction variance. Each well‐being component had a unique set of predictors; however, predictors of affective components varied across age groups. Higher Positive Affect was predicted by traits responsible for energetic regulation (higher Endurance and Activity and lower Emotional Reactivity) and by higher Perseveration, but their role (excluding Emotional Reactivity) was age‐dependent. Higher Negative Affect was predicted by higher Emotional Reactivity and dimensions expressing temporal characteristics, lower Briskness and higher Perseveration (Perseveration was not significant among younger adolescents). Higher Satisfaction was steadily predicted by lower Emotional Reactivity and higher Activity. To conclude, the functions of temperament traits are mostly in line with theoretical expectations, but more complex than indicated by previous research.

Temperament, Beliefs About Pain Control, and Pain Intensity in Endometriosis Patients.

This correlational study investigated the relationships between temperament, beliefs about pain control, and pain intensity ratings in a group of 103 women diagnosed with endometriosis. Temperament traits were assessed using the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour-Temperament Inventory. Beliefs about pain control were measured using the Polish version of the Beliefs about Pain Control Questionnaire. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) was used to measure pain intensity. There was a high negative correlation between the temperament trait of endurance and pain intensity ratings. Moderate negative correlations with pain intensity were found for internal beliefs about pain control. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that the endurance trait and internal beliefs about pain control accounted for 33 % of the variance in pain intensity ratings in women with endometriosis.

Posttraumatic stress symptoms in women with gynaecologic pathology: the role of temperament, self-esteem and mental health

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Women with gynaecological pathology are affected by diseases associated with their femininity, attractiveness and fertility. Diseases like these can potentially be sources of trauma for women. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate temperament traits, self-esteem and mental health dimensions that may contribute to the intensity of trauma in hospitalized women.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Participants and procedure&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; The study was conducted on 136 women aged from 18 to 60, hospitalized for a variety of gynaecological diseases. The level of trauma symptoms was assessed with the PTSD-Factorial Version inventory. Temperament traits were assessed with the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour – Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI), self-esteem was measured using the Multi­dimensional Self-Esteem Inventory, and mental health was diagnosed with the General Health Questionnaire – 28 items.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Emotional reactivity and anxiety symptoms increase trauma symptom intensity in gynaecological patients, whereas briskness, endurance and lovability as a dimension of self-esteem may serve as protective buffers against intensification of trauma symptoms. Together, emotional reactivity, anxiety symptoms and lovability account for 48% of the variance of trauma intensity symptoms.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Emotional reactivity and anxiety symptoms increase trauma symptom intensity in gynaecological patients, whereas lovability as a dimension of self-esteem (and to a lesser extent briskness and endurance as temperament traits) may serve as protective buffers against intensification of trauma symptoms. The findings may have implications for the social support programmes that may be arranged for gynaecological patients.

Personal determinants of acceptance of drinking and driving among Polish drivers

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; The aim of the study was to explore a number of personal predictors that increase one’s approval of driving under the influence (DUI). In keeping with the previous studies, we assumed this approval will more often be expressed by unmarried young men with a lower level of education, who are additionally characterized by a higher need for stimulation, risk acceptance, sensation seeking, and a preference for hedonic values.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Participants and procedure&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; After examining more than 1000 drivers, we selected a group of 254 individuals (97 men, 157 women) who formed our study group. In our survey, these drivers admitted to driving while intoxicated in the past, but at the same time declared that small doses of alcohol did not limit their driving skills. We used a set of research tools in order to verify the assumptions. The following tools measured temperamental and personality variables: Formal Characteristics of Behavior-Temperament Inventory, Risk Acceptance Scale, Stimulating-Instrumental Risk Inventory, Scheler Value Scale, Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale, and Zuckerman’s Sensation Seeking Scale.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Driving under the influence of alcohol is most often approved of by unmarried men who have a higher level of education and are characterized by low levels of sensory sensitivity, low levels of emotional reactivity, an internal locus of control, a high need for risks, high sensation-seeking tendencies, and who prefer vital and aesthetic values.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; It is well justified to examine personal predictors of various dangerous road behaviors, such as driving under the influence of intoxicating substances. These studies could aid both creating effective social prevention programs and conducting psychological screening tests.

The Role of Morningness and Endurance in Mood and Attention During Morning and Evening Hours

Abstract. This study aimed at testing the effects of morningness-eveningness and endurance on mood and selective attention during morning and evening hours. University students (N = 80) completed the Polish version of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour-Temperament Inventory, and two testing sessions scheduled during the morning and evening hours. Each testing session consisted of completing the UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist composed of three scales: energetic arousal (EA), tense arousal (TA), and hedonic tone (HT), and a computerized visual search task. Without consideration of morningness and endurance, a time-of-day effect appeared in the visual attention but not in affect: participants were more accurate and faster in the evening than in the morning. Considering morningness and endurance, neither of them influenced the selective attention but they did influence mood. Morningness influenced diurnal variations in EA and HT in such a way that from morning to evening hours, morning chronotypes showed a decrease and evening types an increase in EA and HT. During morning hours, morningness was related to higher EA and HT and lower TA, but endurance was not. During evening hours, morningness was unrelated to mood, but endurance was linked to higher EA. It is concluded that morningness and endurance impact mood differently throughout the day, with the role of morningness decreasing and the role of endurance increasing as the day progresses.

The Mediating Role of Resiliency in the Relationship Between Temperament and Posttraumatic Growth

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the research is to investigate the mediating role of resiliency in the relation between temperamental traits and posttraumatic growth. Data of 74 persons who have experienced the death of someone close were analyzed. The range of age of the participants was 21–74 years (M = 38.4; SD = 15.5). The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Formal Characteristics of Behavior–Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI), and the Resiliency Assessment Scale were used in the study. Resiliency plays a mediating role among four traits of temperament (Briskness, Emotional Reactivity, Endurance, and Activity) and posttraumatic growth. Resiliency seems to modify the direct impact of temperamental traits on positive posttraumatic changes.

Temperament and stress coping styles in bronchial asthma patients

IntroductionTemperament, defined as the formal characteristics of behavior, is a personality trait which can influence the clinical presentation and course of bronchial asthma. It determines susceptibility to stress as well as stress coping styles.AimThe aim of the study was to assess whether healthy subjects differ from bronchial asthma patients with regard to temperamental variables and stress coping styles, and whether these factors may also differentiate patients with severe asthma from those with the milder form. The study also assesses whether the results of flow volume curve analysis correlate with temperamental traits and stress coping styles.Material and methodsThe study was conducted in a group of 65 asthma patients and 62 healthy controls. All underwent flow volume curve examination and psychological tests: Formal Characteristics of Behavior – Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI) and Coping in Stress Situations (CISS) questionnaire.ResultsBronchial asthma patients were characterized by a lower level of briskness (“agility”) than healthy subjects (13.35 ±4.48 vs. 14.97 ±3.98, p = 0.031). The remaining temperamental traits and stress coping styles did not differ between the groups. Additionally, the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) value was found to correlate negatively with the intensity of the emotion-oriented stress coping style, whereas FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FVC) were found to positively correlate with briskness, emotional reactivity and endurance, while a negative correlation was found with activity.ConclusionsBriskness differentiates healthy subjects from bronchial asthma patients. The values obtained in FEV1 and FVC pulmonary function tests were also found to correlate with some temperamental variables.

Temperament traits, social support, and trauma symptoms among HIV/AIDS and chronic pain patients

The main goal of our study was to investigate and compare the relationship between temperament traits postulated by the Regulative Theory of Temperament (RTT) and social support dimensions with the level of trauma symptoms, as appear in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in an HIV/AIDS patient sample [HIV+ (n=182) and AIDS (n=128)] and in patients suffering from chronic pain (rheumatoid arthritis; n=150). The level of trauma symptoms was assessed with the PTSD Factorial Version Inventory (PTSD-F), temperament was measured with the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour–Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI), and social support was tested with the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS). Significant predictors of trauma symptoms among participants were temperament traits (emotional reactivity, perseveration, and sensory sensitivity), and social support dimensions (perceived support, need for support, support seeking, and actually received support). We also noticed significant differences between the levels of trauma symptoms, temperament, and social support between HIV/AIDS and chronic pain patients. The importance of trauma symptoms, as well as temperament traits and social support, should be taken into account in planning the forms of psychological support that should accompany pharmacotherapy for HIV/AIDS and chronic pain patients.

Pain intensity, temperament traits and social support as determinants of trauma symptoms in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and low-back pain.

The main goal of our study was to investigate the relationship between age, duration of pain, pain intensity, temperament traits as postulated by the Regulative Theory of Temperament (RTT), social support dimensions and the level of trauma symptoms, as appear in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of 300 patients suffering from chronic pain in two groups comprised of 150 patients with a clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 150 patients with a clinical diagnosis of low-back pain (LBP). They were analyzed together as a one group of 300 patients with chronic pain. Temperament was measured with the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour - Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI). Social support was tested with the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS). The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) was used to measure pain intensity. The level of trauma symptoms was assessed with the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Factorial Version Inventory (PTSDF). The results of our study suggest that the intensity of pain, participants' age, Emotional Reactivity and Sensory Sensitivity as temperament traits, need for support, and actually received social support were related to the level of trauma symptoms. The sum of the squared semi-partial correlations showed that all six variables (age, pain intensity, Emotional Reactivity, Sensory Sensitivity, need for support and actually received support), account for 20% of the variance of general trauma symptoms level. The importance of temperament traits, social support and trauma symptoms should be taken into an account in psychotherapy accompanying pharmacotherapy for pain.

大学生公平敏感性的特点及其与气质、家庭社会阶层的关系*

Objective: To explore the characteristics of college students' equity sensitivity, the relationship between temperament, family social class and equity sensitivity. Method: 264 students which from different type of universities were assessed with the Equity Sensitivity Scale, The Formal Characteristics of Behaviour Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI), The Family Social Economic Status Questionnaire. Results and Conclusion: The equity sensitivity had significantly gender differences and grade differences, Equity sensitivity in the first grade was significantly higher than that of the second grade, the equity sensitivity in three and the fourth grade tends to be stable. Equity sensitivity is a significantly positive connection with temperament tolerance, activity and it has significantly negative correlations with persistent, emotion reactivity; Equity sensitivity had significantly positive correlations with family’s SES; Temperament tolerance and family’s social economic status had predictive effect on college students’ equity sensitivity.