Maudsley Personality Inventory Research Articles

Declining empathy trends throughout medical curriculum and association factors of low empathy among medical students and residents: a single center study

BackgroundA physician’s empathy level substantially impacts clinical competence, patient relationships, and treatment outcomes. Yet, understanding empathy trends from medical students to resident doctors within a single institution is limited. This study delves into empathy trends within a single-center academic setting and identifies factors associated with low empathy.MethodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled the second—to sixth-year medical students of Phramongkutklao College of Medicine and the first—to second-year residents at Phramongkutklao Hospital. It utilized a standardized questionnaire covering demographics, family relationships, the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI), and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE). The relationship between variables and JSE scores was analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Chi-square tests. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses examined associated factors and trends across educational levels. A quadratic term was incorporated to evaluate the presence of a nonlinear trend.ResultsA total of 520 participants, comprising 189 (36.4%) preclinical students, 153 (29.4%) clinical students, and 178 (34.2%) residents, completed the survey. The JSE showed a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.83. The average empathy score was 103.8 ± 15.0, with 27.1% of low empathy levels. Specialty preference and sex-adjusted average empathy scores decreased from 114.5 (95%CI: 112.0–117.0) among second-year medical students to 95.2 (95%CI: 92.2–98.2) among second-year residents (Pnon−linear<0.001). The adjusted proportion of low empathy is highest among sixth-year medical students (54.4%, 95%CI: 34.4–73.2%). Factors associated with low empathy included those preferring procedure-oriented specialties (AOR: 4.16, 95%CI: 1.54–11.18) and a higher parental income (AOR: 2.97, 95%CI: 1.09 to 8.10). Subgroup analysis revealed that residents with a GPAX above 3.5 and those in technology-oriented specialties were also associated with lower empathy (AOR: 3.46, 95%CI: 1.40–8.59 and AOR: 2.93, 95%CI: 1.05–8.12, respectively).ConclusionA declining empathy trend was observed among medical students, which then plateaued among residents. Additionally, residents in technology-oriented specialties may require empathy enhancements due to their ongoing patient consultations. Addressing these issues requires collaborative planning between students and teachers to foster empathy throughout the medical curriculum.

Relationships between cognitive appraisal and roles/personality traits in basic life support.

To examine the relationship between the cognitive assessment of stress (cognitive appraisal) caused in a scenario requiring basic life support (BLS) and the roles during BLS/personality traits in nursing students. We conducted an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey for 264 freshman and senior nursing students. The study period was one month from June 2019. The questionnaire included characteristics, roles (active involvement group/passive involvement group/no involvement group), Cognitive Appraisal Rating Scale (CARS), and Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI). We only included data for female students (107 people) in the analysis because very little data is available for male students. The Mann-Whitney test was used for the comparison between two groups and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for the comparison between three groups. The significance level was set at p<0.05. The total number of responses was 133 (50.4%), and the number of valid responses was 107 (40.5%). As a result of analyzing the relationship between the role and the CARS subscale, the controllability of the active and passive involvement groups was significantly lower than that of the no involvement group (p=0.046). Also, the analysis of the relationship between the grade and the CARS subscale showed that the controllability was significantly lower in freshmen than seniors (p=0.020). This study showed the relationship between controllability and cognitive appraisal of stress in the simulation scenario of BLS. Therefore, it was suggested that support for improving controllability is necessary as a preventive measure to reduce the stress associated with BLS.

Sleep Quality and Related Factors in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study in Taiwan.

BackgroundSleep disturbances are common and symptomatic burden in patients with breast cancer, but they are poorly documented and managed in routine clinical practice. This descriptive and cross-sectional study evaluated factors associated with post-treatment sleep disturbances in patients with breast cancer.Patients and MethodsPatients with breast cancer who underwent standard treatment were enrolled and surveyed for their basic demographic data and precancerous and cancer treatment-related factors; they were also administered self-report questionnaires including the Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve questionnaire; Impact of Event Scale; Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; and Maudsley Personality Inventory. Their sleep disturbances were evaluated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Independent sample t test and chi-square tests were used to compare the variables between patients with or without sleep disturbance, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to detect the independent factors.ResultsIn total, 448 patients, including 145 with PSQI ≤ 5 and 303 with PSQI > 5, completed the investigation. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that significantly more patients with sleep disturbances demonstrated psychological distress, severe pain, depression, and impact of stress events than patients without sleep disturbances (adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 2.83 [1.135–7.067], P = 0.026; 1.14 [1.023–1.280], P = 0.018; 1.08 [1.036–1.133], P < 0.001; and 1.03 [1.002–1.051], P = 0.037, respectively).ConclusionPatients with breast cancer showed 67.6% prevalence of sleep disturbances after treatment. The patients with sleep disturbances were more likely to have previously experienced psychological disturbances, severe pain, depression within 5 years after diagnosis. After diagnosis for more than 5 years, higher distress caused by traumatic events still associated with sleep disturbances.

Academic Stress in relation to Personality, Locale and Gender

School education is very important part in an individual’s life and is also a turning point in their academic life. Stress is a common factor among school students. Academic stress involves mental distress regarding anticipated academic challenges or failure or even the fear of the possibility of academic failure. A student’s life is subjected to different kinds of stressors such as the pressure of academics with a requirement of success, uncertain future and difficulties predict for integration into the system. In the present scenario academic stress is major factor that influence the students’ performance as well as their personality. The study investigated academic stress in relation to personality, locale and gender among higher secondary school students. A total of four hundred male and female students participated in this study from Baster district of Chhattisgarh. The sample was selected by using stratified random sampling technique. To assess the personality of the subjects, Eysenck’s Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) and Academic Stress Scale for Students was used. Obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and regression analysis. The results show significant difference between academic stress and gender, academic stress and locale, personality and locale of students. No gender difference was found between the personality of male and female students. Results also indicated that boys experienced more academic stress as compared to girls. Similarly, non-tribal students experienced higher level of academic stress as compared to tribal students. The result of regression analysis showed that personality emerged out as a significant predictor of students’ academic stress explaining about 30.5% variation.

Sex-specific pathways among tri-allelic serotonin transporter polymorphism, trait neuroticism and generalized anxiety disorder.

Neuroticism personality trait is recognized as an important endophenotypic predictor of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Furthermore, endophenotype-based pathway approaches have recently been shown to have greater advantages for gene-finding strategies than traditional case-control studies. In the present study, in addition to conventional case-control methods, we used pathway analyses to test whether the tri-allelic serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (combining 5-HTTLPR and rs25531) is associated with risk of GAD through its effects on trait neuroticism. We included 2236 Han Chinese adults in this study, including 736 patients with GAD and 1500 healthy participants. We genotyped the 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 polymorphisms using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. We used the Neuroticism scale of the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) short version (MPI-Neuroticism) to measure participants' tendency toward neuroticism. Using endophenotype-based path analyses, we found significant indirect effects of the tri-allelic genotype on risk of GAD, mediated by MPI-Neuroticism in both men and women. Compared to women carrying the S'S' genotype, women carrying the L' allele had higher levels of MPI-Neuroticism, which in turn were associated with higher risk of GAD. Men, however, showed the opposite pattern. Using traditional case-control comparisons, we observed that the effect of tri-allelic genotype on GAD was significant, but only in women. Participants were restricted to Han Chinese, and we used only 1 questionnaire to assess neuroticism. These findings are the first to show that the triallelic 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is associated with elevated risk of GAD, and that this effect is mediated via increased trait neuroticism, a sex-dependent risk pathway.

Mamdani fuzzy rule-based models for psychological research

The biasness of the participants in psychological research cannot be ignored during answering various psychological questioners or inventory. Hence, the prediction of psychological parameters can be deemed an ambiguous endeavor and fuzzy modeling provides a mean to account for this ambiguity and uncertainty. In the present study, two fuzzy rule-based models that use single input and generate single output are developed to convert the raw scores of neuroticism and extraversion to standard scores. Maudsley personality inventory (MPI) and Sinha’s comprehensive anxiety test (SCAT) were used to collect raw data of neuroticism, extraversion and anxiety from participants. Using the standard scores for neuroticism and extroversion, third fuzzy rule-based model is also developed to predict the anxiety level of the participants. Each model is a collection of fuzzy rules that express the relationship of each input to the output. The performance of all developed models is tested by estimating mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and paired two-tailed t test.

Predicting effect of Personality Traits and Age on Emotional Intelligence

People who have high emotional intelligence create understanding or know how to manage their ownemotions and they know how to read emotions of others. Emotional intelligence was positively connectedto physical, psychosomatic and mental health. The studies on the predictors of emotional intelligence,particularly in India are limited. For this purpose focus of the present study was to investigate the predictingeffect of personality traits (neuroticism &amp; extraversion) on emotional intelligence among the student ofRaipur, India. A sample of the study comprised 300 P.G. students (male=50; female=50). Mangal EmotionalIntelligence Inventory and Eysenck’s Maudsley Personality inventory (M. P. I.) were used to measuringemotional intelligence (EI) and personality traits. SPSS 16th version, structure equation model (SEM) withADANCO, jamovi. (Version 1.0) were used for analysis. Measurement model was excellent fit in the samples[CFI = .968, TLI=0.904, SRMR=.033 and RMSEA = 0.11 (RMSEA 90% CI: Lower-0.0495, Upper-0.189)].The findings revealed that personality traits, neuroticism emerged as significant predictors of emotionalintelligent, intra personal awareness, inter personal awareness and inter personal management. Age emergedas significant predictors of emotional intelligent and its dimension. The findings also revealed that genderand extraversion have no impact on emotional intelligent and its dimension. A stable personality, age andtheir psychological wellbeing are important in enhancing the emotional intelligence of young students asthere is a possibility in improving their emotional intelligence.

Suicide and associated psychosocial correlates among university students in Taiwan: A mixed-methods study

The trend of suicide rates among young adults has been increasing worldwide. The study aimed to identify the suicide risks and associated psychosocial factors in a large university in Taiwan. This is a mixed-methods study using both questionnaire survey and two open-ended questions for the exploration of qualitative data. An online survey was conducted between two periods of the same semester in 2018 to collect different sources of stress and other suicide correlates. The measurement scales included the 9-item Concise Mental Health Checklist, the University Stress Screening Tool in Taiwan and the Chinese Maudsley Personality Inventory. The participants were required to fulfill two open-ended questions about stress experience and depressive symptoms in the previous month in the end of the questionnaire, which was analyzed using thematic analysis. A total of 857 university students were recruited (67.9% female participants). Over a quarter of participants were under poor mental health status and more than 60% experienced stressful events in the prior year. A higher suicide risk and neurotic trait was noticed compared to the general public. These results were consistent with the qualitative findings. While identifying several risk factors that cumulatively conduced to higher suicide risks, neuroticism served as a key element in the increased suicide risk among the university students. Suicide prevention strategies for university students should highlight stress management for those with neurotic trait and early suicide risk identification.

Personality Traits in Panic Disorder Patients With and Without Comorbidities.

Panic disorder (PD) is often correlated with high neuroticism and low extraversion. This study aims to ascertain whether PD patients differ from healthy controls in regard to personality traits and determine if these traits are correlated with comorbid disorders, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Personality traits of 69 PD patients and 42 controls were compared using the Maudsley Personality Inventory. In PD patients, comorbidities, anxiety, and depression symptoms were also evaluated. PD patients showed higher neuroticism and lower extraversion compared with healthy controls. Patients without comorbidities presented similar results to controls, whereas those with comorbidities presented higher neuroticism and lower extraversion scores. PD per se may be unrelated to deviant personality traits, although comorbidities with major depressive disorder and agoraphobia are probably associated with high neuroticism and low extraversion. These traits show a strong correlation with the accumulation and severity of these disorders.

Characteristics of Patients with High Lie Scores in a Personality Test.

Background:It is reported that persons with high Lie score (L score) of a personality test are aggressively self-confident and are also related to depression or schizophrenia In this study, we examined the characteristics of patients with high L scores on the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) and examined the significance of the L score.Materials and Methods:We collected the data of 10789 subjects and examined the relationship between L score or the number of characteristic biased persons and the parameters of age, sex, education level, occupation, and degree of pain. Furthermore, we examined the changes in extraversion–introversion (E score), neuroticism (N score), and L scores at approximately 1 year after surgery in 1711 patients who underwent surgery at our university hospital or affiliated hospitals.Results:L score was significantly higher among persons with a high degree of pain, and ratio of the characteristic biased persons in L score was significantly high among persons in their 40s to 60s, healthcare professionals and those with a high degree of pain. Moreover, L score scarcely changed between before and after surgery when compared with E score and N score.Conclusion:L score is not greatly influenced by an individual's state of mind or situation at different times, and may indicate the personality traits proper to the person. It is shown that L score may indicate the personality trait characteristics of persons who want to make themselves look good in the eyes of other.

Gender-specific association between serotonin transporter polymorphisms (5-HTTLPR and rs25531) and neuroticism, anxiety and depression in well-defined healthy Han Chinese

BackgroundA tri-allelic serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR/rs25531) more effectively determines the levels of transcriptional efficacy than that with the bi-allelic 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in vitro. Both are reportedly associated with personality traits of negative emotionality, but with conflicting findings. One explanation for this is that a gender difference may play a role in genetic contribution. Here, we hypothesized that the tri-allelic genotype of the serotonin transporter is more closely linked to neuroticism, an anxiety- and depression-related trait, than the bi-allelic variation, particularly in a gender-dependent way. MethodsThe genotypes of the 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 loci were determined in 1139 well-defined physically and mentally healthy Han Chinese (550 men, 589 women; mean age 38.3±10.3 years). All participants completed the neuroticism measure of the short-form Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI). The levels of anxiety and depression were assessed by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), respectively. ResultsA significant tri-allelic genotype-by-gender interaction effect was found in the MPI-neuroticism measure. S′S′ homozygotes were associated with higher neuroticism than L′ allele carriers in men. Also, both the BAI and BDI scores were higher in the S′S′ homozygotic men. In the bi-allelic analyses, however, there was only an association between SS genotype and MPI-neuroticism in men. LimitationsSub-analyses by gender-stratification may reduce the statistical power. ConclusionsOur findings confirm that gender differences exist in the genetic contributions of the serotonin transporter in human neuroticism, and anxiety/depression. Our data provide further support for rs25531, strengthening the effects of 5-HTTLPR.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the REG-CTNNA2 region of chromosome 2 and NEIL3 associated with impulsivity in a Native American sample.

Impulsivity is a multi-faceted construct that, while characterized by a set of correlated dimensions, is centered around a core definition that involves acting suddenly in an unplanned manner without consideration for the consequences of such behavior. Several psychiatric disorders include impulsivity as a criterion, and thus it has been suggested that it may link a number of different behavioral disorders, including substance abuse. Native Americans (NA) experience some of the highest rates of substance abuse of all the US ethnic groups. The described analyses used data from a low-coverage whole genome sequence scan to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of an impulsivity phenotype in an American Indian community sample (n = 658). Demographic and clinical information were obtained using a semi-structured interview. Impulsivity was assessed using a scale derived from the Maudsley personality inventory that combines both novelty seeking and lack of planning items. The impulsivity score was tested for association with each variant adjusted for demographic variables, and corrected for ancestry and kinship, using emmax. Simulations were conducted to calculate empirical P-values. Genome-wide significant findings were observed for a variant 50-kb upstream from catenin cadherin-associated protein, alpha 2 (CTNNA2), a neuronal-specific catenin, in the REG gene cluster. A meta-analysis of GWAS had previously identified common variants in CTNNA2 as being associated with excitement seeking. A second locus upstream of nei endonuclease VIII-like 3 (NEIL3) on chromosome 4 also achieved genome-wide significance. The association between sequence variants in these regions suggests their potential roles in the genetic regulation of this phenotype in this population.

Risk Factors of Internet Addiction among Internet Users: An Online Questionnaire Survey.

BackgroundsInternet addiction (IA) has become a major public health issue worldwide and is closely linked to psychiatric disorders and suicide. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of IA and its associated psychosocial and psychopathological determinants among internet users across different age groups.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional survey initiated by the Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center. The participants were recruited from the general public who responded to the online questionnaire. They completed a series of self-reported measures, including Chen Internet Addiction Scale-revised (CIAS-R), Five-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5), Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI), and questions about suicide and internet use habits.ResultsWe enrolled 1100 respondents with a preponderance of female subjects (85.8%). Based on an optimal cutoff for CIAS-R (67/68), the prevalence rate of IA was 10.6%. People with higher scores of CIAS-R were characterized as: male, single, students, high neuroticism, life impairment due to internet use, time for internet use, online gaming, presence of psychiatric morbidity, recent suicide ideation and past suicide attempts. Multiple regression on IA showed that age, gender, neuroticism, life impairment, internet use time, and BSRS-5 score accounted for 31% of variance for CIAS-R score. Further, logistic regression showed that neuroticism, life impairment and internet use time were three main predictors for IA. Compared to those without IA, the internet addicts had higher rates of psychiatric morbidity (65.0%), suicide ideation in a week (47.0%), lifetime suicide attempts (23.1%), and suicide attempt in a year (5.1%).ConclusionNeurotic personality traits, psychopathology, time for internet use and its subsequent life impairment were important predictors for IA. Individuals with IA may have higher rates of psychiatric morbidity and suicide risks. The findings provide important information for further investigation and prevention of IA.

Factors Associated with Post-Traumatic Symptoms in Mothers of Preterm Infants

ObjectivesSymptoms of post-traumatic distress in mothers of preterm infants have been a subject of mental health research. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of and risk factors associated with such symptoms in mothers of preterm infants in Taiwan. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study performed between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. One hundred and two mothers of preterm infants born at less than 37weeks gestation and with a subsequent neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay between 2005 and 2009 were recruited. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the neuroticism subscale of the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI). The preterm infants' data were taken from medical records. ResultsThe prevalence of symptoms of distress was 25.5% (26/102) in the participants. These symptoms were associated with previous miscarriages, preterm premature rupture of membranes, neurotic personality and depression. ConclusionsThe experience of preterm birth and NICU hospitalization can be traumatic to mothers. Early support for mothers during the preterm infants' NICU stay and transition to home care are recommended.

Low voltage alpha EEG phenotype is associated with reduced amplitudes of alpha event-related oscillations, increased cortical phase synchrony, and a low level of response to alcohol

Low voltage EEG (LVEEG) is a heritable phenotype that differs depending on ancestral heritage, yet its impact on brain networks and cognition remain relatively unexplored. In this study we assessed energy and task related phase locking of event-related oscillation (EROs), behavioral responses, measures of IQ and personality, and expected responses to alcohol in a large sample of individuals with LVEEG compared to those with higher voltage variants. Participants (n=762) were recruited from a Native American community and completed a diagnostic interview, the Quick Test, the Subjective High Assessment Scale Expectation Version (SHAS-E) and the Maudsley Personality Inventory. Clinical and spectral analyzed EEGs were collected for determination of the presence of a LVEEG variant. EROs were generated using a facial expression recognition task. Participants with LVEEG (n=451) were significantly more likely to be older, married and have higher degrees of Native American heritage but did not differ in gender, income or education. Individuals with LVEEG were also found to have decreased energy in their alpha EROs, increased phase locking between stimulus trials, and increased phase-locking between cortical brain areas. No significant differences in the cognitive tests, personality variables or alcohol dependence or anxiety diagnoses were found, however, individuals with LVEEG did report a larger number of drinks ever consumed in a 24-h period and a less intense expected response to alcohol. These data suggest that alpha power in the resting EEG is highly associated with energy and cortical connectivity measures generated by event-related stimuli, as well as potentially increased risk for alcohol use.

The psychosocial indicators related to neuroticism in both sexes: A study of incoming university students

Neuroticism may have great impact on mental and physical health in both sexes. The aims of this study were to explore whether relationships between neuroticism scores and psychosocial indicators as well as metabolic syndrome in a population of incoming university students existed in the different sexes. In total, 4266 incoming students were included in this study. The test battery comprised a self-administered structured questionnaire, including the neuroticism subscale of the Maudsley Personality Inventory, the 12-item Chinese Health Questionnaire, the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale-Revision, the measurement of support functions, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Multivariate logistic regression showed that higher Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, higher Chinese Internet Addiction Scale-Revision scores, and higher 12-item Chinese Health Questionnaire scores were significantly correlated with neuroticism in both sexes, but lower perceived routine support: measurement of support functions scores were associated only with the male participants. No significant differences were found in terms of body mass index or other metabolic profiles. Individuals with poorer mental health and a poorer personal lifestyle had higher neuroticism scores, and sex effects may influence the scale of perceived social support in the neuroticism group. However, the lack of an association between neuroticism score and metabolic syndrome may be due to the recruitment of younger participants in this study.

The Association of Disease Activity, Personality Trait and Psychiatric Symptoms in Patients with Primary Sjogren's Syndrome

Objective: This study aims to explore the biological correlates of psychological distress and personality trait in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). Method: A total of 40 female patients with pSS were recruited for this study. Brief Symptoms Rating Scale (BSRS) and Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) were applied to measure psychological distress and personality trait, respectively. Adjusted T scores of these two scales, which were obtained from comparisons with a pre-existing hospital reference group after adjusting for the effects of gender and age, were used to determine severity. We also investigated the association between psychometric variables and biological markers which included serological parameters and quantitative sialoscintigraphy. Results: The adjusted T scores of General Severity Index (GSI) for BSRS and neuroticism for MPI were significantly higher in patients with pSS than in the hospital reference group. The score of neuroticism was significantly associated with an abnormally high rheumatoid factor and marginally correlated with IgG level. The degree of neuroticism in personality trait, rather than the severity of psychological distress, correlates to the extent of salivary gland dysfunction defined by quantitative sialoscintigraphy. Conclusion: Patients with pSS suffered from notable psychological distress. The personality trait of neuroticism significantly associates with the extent of salivary dysfunction. It is important to deliver holistic care to patients with pSS in order to help alleviate their disease burden. Further studies which focus on the relationship between biological markers and personality traits might shed light on the mechanisms connecting body and mind in pSS.

Oxytocin receptor gene rs53576 polymorphism modulates oxytocin-dopamine interaction and neuroticism traits--a SPECT study.

Brain oxytocin and dopamine systems interact to modulate social cognitive behavior. Whether the interactions are modulated by oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene variations remains unclear. Considering the dopamine transporter (DAT) availability as an endophenotype and the degree of dopamine-mediated neuroticism as a phenotype of the OXTR genotypes, the current molecular imaging study used [(99m)Tc]TRODAT-1 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to measure the striatal DAT availability and the 57-item Maudsley Personality Inventory to measure neuroticism personality traits in healthy individuals to investigate (A) the correlation between the rs53576 (G/A) of OXTR and the striatal DAT availability, (B) the correlation between the peripheral oxytocin level and striatal DAT availability among different OXTR rs53576 (G/A) genotypes, and (C) whether neuroticism traits could be modified by oxytocin in certain OXTR rs53576 genotypes. The results showed that the striatal DAT availability in the AG+GG group was significantly lower than that in the AA group (2.08±0.47 vs. 1.90±0.32, p=0.04). Only individuals with one or two copies of the G allele of rs53576 showed a negative correlation between DAT availability and oxytocin level (r=-0.41, p=0.002). Furthermore, the oxytocin×DAT interaction was significantly correlated with the MPI neuroticism score in the AA group. Further analyses showed that the DAT availability was correlated with the neuroticism score only in the AA group with a low oxytocin level (r=0.74, p=0.002). The results indicated that the OXTR rs53576 is connected with the striatal DAT availability in vivo and modulates the interactions between the oxytocinergic and dopaminergic systems. Carriers with a specific rs53576 OXTR genotype may present a greater biological sensitivity as well as stress reactivity in terms of environmental adaptation.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms in Mothers with Infants or Toddlers

The objective of this study is to explore the prevalence of and factors associated with depressive symptoms in mothers with young children. This is a cross-sectional face-to-face study performed between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Mothers of premature infants with a gestational age of less than 37 weeks were recruited. Premature infants with any congenital anomaly or severe congenital heart disease were excluded. Controls were mothers of full-term infants with birth weight over 2500 g and without admission to a neonatal intensive care unit. Outcome measures included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for maternal depressive symptoms, the Family Apgar Index for family support, and the Chinese Maudsley Personality Inventory for personality traits. A total of 102 mothers of preterm infants and 111 mothers of full-term infants were recruited. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 27.7% (59/213) in all mothers of this study, 29.4% (30/102) in mothers of preterm infants, and 26.1% (29/111) in mothers of full-term infants. Predictors of maternal depressive symptoms included the following: extended family structure, lack of postpartum confinement, low family support, and a personality characterized by neuroticism. Depressive symptoms were common among mothers of young children. Family function and neurotic personality were highly correlated with depressive symptoms in mothers caring for young children. Pediatric health care providers are suggested to screen for maternal depressive symptoms and provide family-oriented support in Taiwan.

Personality of Patients with Pain

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between pain and personality characteristics.Methods: We asked the outpatients attending all the clinical departments of Mie University Hospital to complete a questionnaire that included a visual analog scale [VAS] for evaluating pain within the last week and the Maudsley Personality Inventory.Results: Out of a total of 5013 outpatients, 3055 answered the questionnaire [collection rate: 60.9 percent]. Based on the VAS, subjects with a VAS = 0 mm were defined as the no pain group [n = 2,196], those with 0 mm < VAS < 100 mm as the pain group [n = 839] and subjects with a VAS = 100 mm as the worst pain group [n = 20]. Each score of the Maudsley Personality Inventory was compared among the three groups. The E score of the pain group was significantly lower than that of the no pain group [p < 0.01]. The N score of the pain group was significantly higher than that of the no pain group [p < 0.01]. The L score of the worst pain group tended to be higher, but there was no significant difference with that of the other two groups.Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between pain and personality. The subjects with pain were mostly introverted and neurotic.