Higher Harm Avoidance Scores Research Articles

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.

Personality traits in patients with multiple sclerosis: their association with nicotine dependence and polypharmacy.

The modifiable risk factor exerting the most substantial influence on the development and disease course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is cigarette smoking. Furthermore, smoking is associated with a higher risk of suffering from one or more comorbidities and potentially contributes to polypharmacy. We aimed to use personality tests to explore health-promoting and harmful patient characteristics. To investigate two important factors influencing the course of MS - the degree of smoking dependence and the status of polypharmacy - in association with personality traits. This is a bicentric, cross-sectional study. We collected sociodemographic, clinical and medical data from patients with MS (n = 375) at two German neurological clinics. The participants were asked to complete the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). Relationships between variables were examined using correlation analyses, and differences between groups were examined using linear models. Current smokers with MS were also asked to complete the Fagerström questionnaire to categorize them into patients with mild, moderate and severe smoking dependence. In our sample, 67.5% were women, and the mean age was 48.1 years. The patients had a median Expanded Disability Status Scale of 3.0 at a median disease duration of 10 years. Patients with MS with severe smoking dependence had on average a significantly higher neuroticism score in the NEO-FFI compared to those with mild or moderate smoking dependence. Patients with MS and polypharmacy had significantly higher neuroticism scores than those without. In the extraversion scale of the NEO-FFI, patients with MS and polypharmacy had significantly lower scores on average. Significant differences were also found when analysing the TCI-R in patients with MS and heavy smoking dependence, with higher scores for harm avoidance (HA) and lower scores for reward dependence, self-directedness (S-D) and cooperativeness (CO) in various subscales. Polypharmacy in patients with MS was associated with higher scores for HA and self-transcendence. Furthermore, patients with polypharmacy showed lower values than patients without polypharmacy in individual subscales of the dimensions of persistence, S-D and CO. Using the NEO-FFI, we were able to show that neuroticism is a detrimental trait and extraversion a protective trait in patients with MS in relation to nicotine dependence and polypharmacy. In addition, the evaluation of the TCI-R showed that high HA as well as low S-D and CO scores were more common in patients with MS and nicotine dependence or polypharmacy. With this knowledge, the risk of polypharmacy and smoking can be understood in the context of personality characteristics and targeted treatment and counselling can be provided.

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.

Cortisol, Temperament and Serotonin in Karate Combats: An Evolutionary Psychobiological Perspective

ObjectivesThere is evidence suggesting that in martial arts competitions athletes characterized by higher anxiety and harm avoidance may be more likely to lose a fight. This psychological profile has been hypothesized to explain in part the observation that cortisol is higher in losers before and in response to a competition. An important research target that needs further exploration is the identification of phenotypic traits that can be helpful in predicting athletes’ performance. Here we present a brief description of the theoretical bases that drives our research in the evolutionary psychobiology of sports and illustrate preliminary data on the relationship between the 5HTTLPR genotype, salivary cortisol, temperament and competition.MethodsSixty-five healthy male non-professional athletes provided saliva samples 10 min before and after a kumite session and filled out the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire.ResultsSalivary cortisol levels 10 min before the competition were higher in losers and in athletes with the S allele. Temperament was associated with competition outcome and cortisol: losers were characterized by higher scores of harm avoidance and harm avoidance was positively correlated with cortisol levels.ConclusionsThe results confirm previous findings linking temperamental traits, pre-and post- competition physiological stress response with competition outcome in kumite fight. Moreover, they indicate an association between the 5HTTLPR polymorphism and pre-competition salivary cortisol, thus providing a preliminary but non-conclusive evidence on the role played by the 5HTTLPR genotype as a vulnerability factor in sport competition.

Predictors of social anxiety disorder with major depressive episodes among Japanese university students.

BackgroundSocial anxiety disorder (SAD) develops in the early teens and is a common disorder among university students. Understanding the predictive factors of SAD comorbid with major depressive episode (MDE) is important for student mental health care. The aim of this study was to identify the personality traits that predict SAD with MDE by analyzing longitudinal data of Japanese university students.MethodsIn this retrospective study, Japanese university students who visited the health care center of Hokkaido University for the first time were divided into the following four groups: “Control” (n = 43), “MDE” (n = 16), “SAD” (n = 28), and “SAD with MDE” (n = 61) based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, and core anxiety symptoms for SAD in the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview during screening. Predictors for SAD with MDE were identified by a four-group comparison of the Temperament and Character Inventory and PHQ-9 data previously obtained at the enrollment using analysis of variance and post-hoc tests.ResultsUpon comparing the four groups using analysis of variance, there were significant differences in the baseline PHQ-9 summary score, Harm-Avoidance (HA), and Self-Directedness (SD). According to results of the post-hoc test, all three showed a significant difference between the “Control” and “SAD with MDE.” Furthermore, there was a significant difference in HA scores between “SAD” and “Control.” In all the groups, the mean time from enrollment to the first visit to the center was >2 years.ConclusionA higher HA score at baseline is a predictor of SAD with or without MDE. Higher PHQ-9 summary and lower SD scores at baseline are predictive factors of SAD with MDE.

Temperament-Character Traits and Attitudes Toward Premature Ejaculation in 4 Types of Premature Ejaculation

BackgroundAlthough temperament-character traits and attitudes toward premature ejaculation (PE) are known to be associated with PE, it is of great significance to study them in PE. Moreover, few studies have evaluated these traits and attitudes in the new classification of 4 subtypes of PE. AimWe investigated the temperament-character traits and attitudes toward PE in 4 types of PE and their associations with PE. MethodsBetween December 2018 and December 2019, we conducted a survey in our hospital, and enrolled 350 men who complained of PE and 252 men without any complaint of PE. Temperament-character traits and attitudes toward PE were independently assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised and several targeted questions, respectively. The Index of Premature Ejaculation (IPE) was used to evaluate ejaculation control, sexual life satisfaction, and distress caused by PE. OutcomesThe outcomes included differences of temperament-character traits and attitudes toward PE among 2 groups and their associations with PE. ResultsOf the 2 groups, men with PE complaints had lower novelty seeking/self-transcendence (NS/ST) scores and higher harm avoidance (HA) scores vs men without any complaints of PE. Among the 4 types of PE, men with variable PE had the highest score of HA and lowest score of NS; the lowest score of ST was recorded in men with lifelong PE. Additionally, the total and subdomain scores of IPE in men with subjective PE were higher than the other subtypes of PE. After adjusting for age, positive correlations were observed in HA score and total and subdomain scores of IPE, whereas the inverse was true corresponding to NS and ST. Clinical ImplicationsThe current study has provided a new perspective for understanding the impact of psychological factors on PE. Strengths & LimitationsThis is the first study to systematically assess the effects of personality traits and attitudes on PE, especially among the 4 types of PE. The main drawback is that the generalizability of this study may be limited by the fact that it was conducted in a single cultural/societal background. ConclusionMen who complained of PE tended to react with indifference or rejection to novelty, tended to feel unsatisfied, cannot effectively adapt to changes in the surrounding environment, and tended to avoid situations involving risk. These characteristics could lead to their becoming disheartened when faced with PE. Furthermore, the attitude of men with PE reflects the needs of the patient during treatment from one aspect.Gao P, Gao J Wang Y, et al. Temperament-Character Traits and Attitudes Toward Premature Ejaculation in 4 Types of Premature Ejaculation. J Sex Med 2021;18:72–82.

Analysis of the bio-psychological characteristics of Sasang typology in Korean preschool children using the ponderal index and the temperament and character inventory

The aim of this study was to identify different physical and mental characteristics among three common Sasang types, Tae-eum, So-yang, and So-eum (except scarce type, Tae-Yang) in preschoolers, to improve constitutional diagnoses. Our study included 65 boys and 67 girls from six kindergartens in South Korea. The number of children who were categorized as Tae-Yang, Tae-Eum, So-Yang, and So-Eum types were 1, 56, 40, and 35, respectively. We measured height, weight, mid-parental height, predicted adult height, ponderal index (PI), and findings from the junior temperament and character inventory 3 to 6. The Tae-eum type exhibited higher weight percentiles and PIs than the other types (p<0.001), and the So-eum type displayed higher harm avoidance (HA) scores than the Tae-eum type (p=0.033). Children with high PIs and low HA scores have a higher probability of being classified as the Tae-eum type than as the So-eum type.

Using Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MRI as an Imaging Biomarker for Migraine: Proceed with Caution

Using Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MRI as an Imaging Biomarker for Migraine: Proceed with Caution

Temperament and character in homicidal patients with schizophrenia

Background: Understanding the etiology of violence in patients with schizophrenia is an issue of great clinical and public importance. Although personality traits are an important aspect in determining complex behaviors of schizophrenia patients, there is a lack of research on the relationship between personality traits and violence, especially homicidal behavior, in this population.Aim: We aimed to compare temperament and character dimensions between homicidal and other mostly violent forensic patients with schizophrenia, and to determine which temperament and character dimensions are associated with homicidal behavior in these patients.Methods: We recruited 71 male forensic schizophrenia patients without concomitant substance dependence and antisocial personality disorder. The patients were divided into two groups according to trial documentation as: (1) Homicide and attempted homicide group (N 30; 42%), and (2) Other offenses group (N 41; 58%). Patients were assessed by means of the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Differences between groups were tested with t-test.Results: The two groups of patients were similar in their PANSS scores, but the homicidal men were significantly more likely to show higher harm avoidance (HA) scores than the less violent comparison men (t = 2,876, df-69, p = 0.005).Conclusions: Our results indicate that forensic schizophrenic patients with higher HA scores would show a greater risk of homicidal violence. Improved understanding of personality traits associated with such behavior is needed in order to prevent homicidal behavior. Importance of these results suggests that further study is needed.

Prevention of depression in first-year university students with high harm avoidance: Evaluation of the effects of group cognitive behavioral therapy at 1-year follow-up.

High harm avoidance (HA) scores on the temperament and character inventory appear to be a risk factor for depressive disorders and suicide. Since 2012, we have conducted group cognitive behavioral therapy (G-CBT) interventions for students at Nagasaki University with high HA and without depressive disorders, with the aim of preventing depression. Here, we report on the effects of the G-CBT at 1-year follow-up for the 2012 to 2015 period.Forty-two participants with high HA were included in the final analysis. Outcomes were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory II, Manifest Anxiety Scale, 28-item General Health Questionnaire, and Brief Core Schema Scales at baseline, and at 6-month, and 1-year follow-ups.Repeated-measures analyses of variance revealed a significant decrease in mean depressive symptom scores at the 6-month follow-up point; this decrease was maintained at 1 year. Improvements in cognitive schemas were also seen at 6 months and 1 year.We observed improvements in cognitive schemas associated with depression as a result of the G-CBT intervention, with effects maintained at 1 year post-intervention. This intervention may be effective in positively modifying the cognitions of students with HA and preventing future depression.

Temperament traits and remission of depression: A naturalistic six-month longitudinal study

BackgroundThe aim of this naturalistic longitudinal study was to add evidence regarding the potential of Cloninger's temperament traits (novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence and persistence) for predicting the effect of pharmacological treatment on the rates of therapeutic response and remission. MethodsThe study was based on 200 outpatients with unipolar depressive disorders of different severity and course of illness, and extended up to 6 months of follow-up. Patients were assessed in their temperament with the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) and their condition was classified (in course and severity) according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth revision (ICD-10) diagnostic criteria for research. Patients were blindly rated (concerning other predicting variables) on the improved Clinical Global Impression–Severity scale for depression (iCGI-S) at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Outcome measures at the last observation carried forward were therapeutic response (reduction of ≥50% in the last iCGI-S) and remission (last iCGI-S = 0), which were available for 187 patients. ResultsRemission was independently and directly associated with length of follow-up, and inversely with the baseline iCGI-S score and harm avoidance (patients in the high tertile had a 2.7 likelihood of non-remission in comparison with those in the low tertile); persistence was found to have a complex, V-shape relationship with remission. Within a sub-sample of more severe cases (n = 118), having higher harm avoidance scores, a more favorable outcome was associated with higher reward dependence and the non-smoking condition. LimitationsWith a naturalistic, non-experimental design, the sample may not be representative of the general population. ConclusionsTemperament traits may help predict outcome in patients treated for depression.

Parental style and Cloninger's model in psychosis

Parental style and Cloninger's dimensions are associated with psychosis, but it is still unclear whether temperament, character and parenting variables are linked to specific psychotic symptoms. This study extends previous research exploring these issues. 78 patients with psychosis and 156 control subjects were recruited. Parental style was evaluated using the Measure of Parental Style. Temperament and character were evaluated using the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised. Psychotic symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. T-tests, correlations and moderation and mediation analyses were performed. Patients reported dysfunctional parenting and had higher scores for harm avoidance (HA) and self transcendence (ST), and lower scores for self directedness (SD) and cooperativeness (CO) than controls. Maternal indifference, abuse and overcontrol were correlated with positive symptoms (PS). Novelty seeking (NS), reward dependence, SD, CO were correlated with PS; HA and ST were correlated with negative symptoms. After adjusting for age, gender and family history of psychopathology lower CO partially mediated the relationship between maternal abuse and PS; the positive NS-maternal abuse interaction was associated with PS. Different parenting and personality variables may be associated with different psychotic symptoms. NS and CO may be part of a pathway between maternal abuse and PS.

Paresthesia frequency in fibromyalgia and its effects on personality traits.

Paresthesia and personality disorders are common conditions among patients with fibromyalgia. However, no previous study has examined a possible relation of paresthesia with personality traits in fibromyalgia. This study investigates the frequency of paresthesia in fibromyalgia patients and its relation with personality traits. Female patients with fibromyalgia (n=101) were divided into two groups according to the presence (n=49; mean age 40.63±7.62years; range 23-55years) or absence (n=52; mean age 40.50±7.12years; range 27-53years) of paresthesia. Also, a healthy control group (n=53; mean age 39.34±5.26years; range 23-55years) was included. The groups were evaluated by the Temperament and Character Inventory. Accordingly, temperament includes four dimensions: harm avoidance, novelty seeking, persistence, reward dependence; and character consists of three dimensions: cooperativeness, self-transcendence, self-directedness. There were no significant differences among the three groups in the scores of novelty seeking, persistence, reward dependence and cooperativeness (for all P>0.05). Both fibromyalgia groups had significantly higher scores in harm avoidance and had lower scores in self-directedness compared to the control group (P<0.001). Also, fibromyalgia patients with paresthesia had significantly higher harm avoidance and self-directedness scores than those in patients without paresthesia (P<0.001). In both fibromyalgia groups, self-transcendence scores were similar (P=0.465) but significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.001). This is the first study evaluating the association of paresthesia and personality traits in fibromyalgia. These results suggest that psychological distress associated with high harm avoidance and low self-directedness scores are more prominent in fibromyalgia patients, and especially of those who have paresthesia.

Temperament traits and executive functions in Parkinson’s disease

IntroductionAim of the study was to evaluate the possible relationship between Temperament traits and executive dysfunction in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). MethodsPatients affected by PD diagnosed according to the UK Parkinson’s disease Society Brain Bank criteria were enrolled in the study. Patients with a Mini Mental State Examination <24 were excluded from the study. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), a self-report questionnaire assessing the Harm Avoidance (HA), Novelty Seeking (NS) and Reward Dependence (RD) temperamental traits, has been performed. The executive functions were assessed with the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). ResultsFifty PD patients (28 men and 22 women; mean age 59.1 ± 10.1 years) were enrolled. High HA (mean score 73.3 ± 24.7) and a low NS score (24.2 ± 18.7) were recorded. Fifteen (30%) patients presented a pathological FAB score (≤13.5). Patients with a pathological FAB score presented an HA score significantly higher than patients with normal FAB score (respectively 84.9 ± 13.7 versus 69.8 ± 26.9; p = 0.045). At the univariate analysis an association between high HA score and pathological FAB score was found (OR 3.85, 95%CI 1.06–13.9; p-value 0.040). ConclusionOur study confirmed an association between executive disturbances and HA in PD patients, possibly related to a common impairment of the frontostriatal circuits.

The Impact of Early Losses, Attachment, Temperament-Character Traits and Affect Regulation on the Development of Psychopathology

The role of developmental issues and the constitutional factors are crucial in conceptualization of psychopathology. The main aim of this research was to investigate the impact of early losses, attachment styles, affect regulation and temperament-character traits on psychopathology. Furthermore, the other aim was to examine the mediator role of affect regulation and attachment styles between harm avoidance temperament trait and psychopathology. The research sample was composed of two groups being clinical group (n = 224) and healthy control group (n = 61). The clinical group included major depressive disorder (n = 78), anxiety disorder (n = 74) and somatization disorder (n = 72). Data collection tools involved Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, The Experiences in Close Relationships-II, Temperament Character Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Early Losses Search Form. It was found that the losses that the clinical group had experienced during their childhood period were higher than the control group. The clinical group had more anxious and avoidant attachment styles; had more difficulties in emotion regulation; used the adaptational cognitive emotion regulation strategies less and the non-adaptational strategies more; had higher harm avoidance scores than the healthy group. Moreover, it was found that both the emotion regulation difficulties and attachment styles had a partial mediating effect between harm avoidance and depression and anxiety. It was shown that the early relationships and experiences have an impact on the further development of psychopathology and take an important place in understanding the etiology of depression and anxiety.

Quality of life and impact of pain in women treated with aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer. A multicenter cohort study.

Women with hormone-dependent breast cancer are treated with aromatase inhibitors (AI) to slow disease progression by decreasing estrogen levels. However, AI have adverse effects, including pain, with potentially serious impact on quality of life (QOL) and treatment compliance. We evaluated quality of life during the first year of AI treatment, focusing particularly on the impact of pain. In a multicenter cohort study of 135 women with early-stage breast cancer, free of pain at the initiation of AI treatment, quality of life (by the EORTC QLQ-BR23), somatic and psychic symptoms, psychological characters, temperament and coping strategies were assessed at baseline and at each follow-up visit (1, 3, 6 and 12 months). The impact of treatment-induced pain on quality of life during follow-up was determined with repeated-measures regression models. These models were constructed to assess the effects of pain and pain type on quality of life during follow-up, taking into account predictors associated with quality of life at baseline. Prior ganglion resection, taxane treatment and chemotherapy, a high amplification score on the pain catastrophizing scale, and a high harm avoidance score on the personality questionnaire were associated with a significantly lower baseline QOL. Fifty-seven percent of women developed pain of five different types: upper or lower limb joint pain, diffuse pain, neuropathic pain, tendon pain and mixed pain. A significant decrease in QOL was noted in the women with pain, particularly for body image, sexual functioning and future perspectives. Moreover, the impact of pain on QOL depended on the type of pain experienced. In conclusion, women treated with aromatase inhibitors display changes in quality of life and the degree of change in quality of life depends mostly on the type of pain experienced. Oncologists and patients should be aware of painful adverse effects of AI and encouraged to provide or receive earlier and more appropriate management of these effects.

Beyond Behavioral Inhibition: A Computer Avatar Task Designed to Assess Behavioral Inhibition Extends to Harm Avoidance.

Personality factors such as behavioral inhibition (BI), a temperamental tendency for avoidance in the face of unfamiliar situations, have been identified as risk factors for anxiety disorders. Personality factors are generally identified through self-report inventories. However, this tendency to avoid may affect the accuracy of these self-report inventories. Previously, a computer based task was developed in which the participant guides an on-screen “avatar” through a series of onscreen events; performance on the task could accurately predict participants’ BI, measured by a standard paper and pencil questionnaire (Adult Measure of Behavioral Inhibition, or AMBI). Here, we sought to replicate this finding as well as compare performance on the avatar task to another measure related to BI, the harm avoidance (HA) scale of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). The TPQ includes HA scales as well as scales assessing reward dependence (RD), novelty seeking (NS) and persistence. One hundred and one undergraduates voluntarily completed the avatar task and the paper and pencil inventories in a counter-balanced order. Scores on the avatar task were strongly correlated with BI assessed via the AMBI questionnaire, which replicates prior findings. Females exhibited higher HA scores than males, but did not differ on scores on the avatar task. There was a strong positive relationship between scores on the avatar task and HA scores. One aspect of HA, fear of uncertainty was found to moderately mediate the relationship between AMBI scores and avatar scores. NS had a strong negative relationship with scores on the avatar task, but there was no significant relationship between RD and scores on the avatar task. These findings indicate the effectiveness of the avatar task as a behavioral alternative to self-report measures to assess avoidance. In addition, the use of computer based behavioral tasks are a viable alternative to paper and pencil self-report inventories, particularly when assessing anxiety and avoidance.

Maternal and paternal personality profiles of adolescent suicide attempters

Personality features have been correlated with suicidal behaviors in recent decades. Given its neurobiological background, Cloninger's model of personality, the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), may help to identify the maternal and paternal personality dimensions associated with adolescent suicide attempts. The present study is the first that specifically compares the temperament and character profiles of both mothers and fathers of the adolescent suicide attempters with a control group, by considering the influence of demographic and clinical factors. The study group comprised 117 parents of 71 adolescent suicide attempters and 119 parents of 71 age- and gender-matched adolescents without a suicide attempt included as a control group. The TCI and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) were applied to the parents in both groups. Logistic regression analysis, which was performed to adjust confounding factors, demonstrated significantly higher scores for harm avoidance among the mothers and lower scores of self-directedness among the fathers of the adolescent suicide attempters. New psychotherapeutic modalities considering the high-risk parental personality traits would be beneficial to support parent-adolescent relationships and may have a preventative effect on adolescent suicide.

Personality profiles in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

BackgroundPrevious studies suggested that the presence of ADHD in children and young adolescents may affect the development of personality. Whether or not the persistence of ADHD in adult life is associated with distinct personality patterns is still matter for debate. To address this issue, we compared the profiles of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) that assesses personality dimensions in 119 adults ADHD and 403 controls.MethodsANCOVA were used to examine group differences (controls vs. ADHD and ADHD inattentive type vs. ADHD combined + hyperactive/impulsive types) in Temperaments and Characters. Partial correlation coefficients were used to assess correlation between TCI and expression and severity of symptoms of ADHD.ResultsHigh novelty seeking (NS), harm avoidance (HA) and self-transcendence (ST) scores as well as low self-directedness (SD) and cooperativeness (C) scores were associated with ADHD diagnosis. Low SD was the strongest personality trait associated with adult ADHD. Cases with the ADHD inattentive type showed higher HA and lower SD scores compared to the combined and hyperactive/impulsive types. High HA scores correlated with inattention symptoms whereas high NS and ST scores were related to hyperactive symptoms. Finally low SD and high NS were associated with increased ADHD severity.ConclusionsDistinct temperaments were associated with inattentive versus hyperactive/impulsive symptoms supporting the heterogeneous nature of the disorder.

The revised Temperament and Character Inventory: normative data by sex and age from a Spanish normal randomized sample.

Objectives. The psychometric properties regarding sex and age for the revised version of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-R) and its derived short version, the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-140), were evaluated with a randomized sample from the community.Methods. A randomized sample of 367 normal adult subjects from a Spanish municipality, who were representative of the general population based on sex and age, participated in the current study. Descriptive statistics and internal consistency according to α coefficient were obtained for all of the dimensions and facets. T-tests and univariate analyses of variance, followed by Bonferroni tests, were conducted to compare the distributions of the TCI-R dimension scores by age and sex.Results. On both the TCI-R and TCI-140, women had higher scores for Harm Avoidance, Reward Dependence and Cooperativeness than men, whereas men had higher scores for Persistence. Age correlated negatively with Novelty Seeking, Reward Dependence and Cooperativeness and positively with Harm Avoidance and Self-transcendence. Young subjects between 18 and 35 years had higher scores than older subjects in NS and RD. Subjects between 51 and 77 years scored higher in both HA and ST. The alphas for the dimensions were between 0.74 and 0.87 for the TCI-R and between 0.63 and 0.83 for the TCI-140.Conclusion. Results, which were obtained with a randomized sample, suggest that there are specific distributions of personality traits by sex and age. Overall, both the TCI-R and the abbreviated TCI-140 were reliable in the ‘good-to-excellent’ range. A strength of the current study is the representativeness of the sample.