Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Research Articles

Anxiety and its relationship to demographic and personality traits data among special operations divers: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionSpecial operation diving is becoming increasingly prevalent but has received less attention. The anxiety profile in special operation divers and its influencing factors remain unclear, posing great challenges to medical...

Effects of neuroticism on pre-exam irritable bowel syndrome in female middle school students: mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty and moderating role of exercise duration.

China, which is deeply influenced by Confucianism, places special emphasis on students' test scores. Previous studies have shown that neuroticism is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adolescents. However, the mechanisms underlying this association before exams in female secondary school students are unknown. The present study sought to ascertain whether IU mediates the association between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS, and to determine whether exercise duration moderates the relationship between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS. The sample consisted of 685 Chinese female middle school students (Mage = 14.81, SD = 1.55, range = 11-18) who completed paper questionnaires, including the neuroticism subscale of the Chinese Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory, the IBS Symptom Severity Scale, a simplified version of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and a movement time questionnaire. Independent samples t-test was used to compare differences between groups and Pearson correlation coefficient was used to investigate the bivariate correlation. The SPSS PROCESS 4.1 plug-in was then used to examine the mediating role of IU as well as the moderating role of movement time between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS. Neuroticism and IU were significantly correlated with pre-exam IBS (r = 0.39, 0.30, respectively; all p < 0.01), and neuroticism was significantly correlated with IU (r = 0.46, p < 0.01). Neuroticism had a direct predictive effect on pre-exam IBS in Chinese female middle school students (β = 0.32, p < 0.001), and IU also had a positive effect on pre-exam IBS (β = 0.15, p < 0.001). The mediating effect value of IU on the total effect was 18.09%. The relationship between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS was moderated by movement time (β = -0.23, p < 0.05). IU plays a mediating role between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS, and exercise time plays a moderating role between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS. These findings provide an evidence for neuroticism intervention, IU management, and pre-exam IBS improvement in female middle school students.

The effect of childhood trauma on depression in college students: A moderated mediation model

ObjectiveChildhood trauma is considered as a critical risk factor for depression. Although many studies have investigated the pathway of Childhood trauma to depression, especially the mediating or moderating effects of cognitive emotion regulation strategies or neuroticism or stress perception, the results were inconsistent and the underlying psychological mechanisms of depression remain unclear. This study aims to explore the influence and mechanism of childhood trauma on depression in college students, and establish a full model among these interactive factors. Methods1272 college students were surveyed using the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ), short version of center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D), Chinese perceived stress scale (CPSS), neuroticism extraversion openness five-factor inventory (NEO-FFI), and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Results(1) Childhood trauma, neuroticism, stress perception, and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies were all significantly and positively correlated with depression among college students; (2) Stress perception and neuroticism act as a chain mediator between childhood trauma and depression in college students. (3) Maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies play a moderating role in “childhood trauma-neuroticism-depression”. ConclusionChildhood trauma increases the risk of depression in college students by affecting neuroticism and stress perception, and high levels of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies link neuroticism and enhance the effect of childhood trauma on depression in college students.

Personality Determinants of Diet Health Quality among an Elite Group of Polish Team Athletes

The aim of the study was to analyse personality determinants of diet health quality among of an elite group of Polish team athletes. The correlations between personality traits of the big five model and the indices of diet health quality (the pro-healthy diet index, pHDI-10 and the non-healthy diet index, nHDI-14) were assessed. Research was carried out among 213 athletes (males), using the beliefs and eating habits questionnaire (Kom-PAN) and the neuroticism extraversion openness personality inventory-revised (NEO-PI-R). Statistical analysis was performed with the use of Pearson's linear and Spearman's signed rank correlation coefficients as well as multiple regression, assuming the significance level of α = 0.05. It has been shown that the pro-healthy diet index (pHDI-10) decreased with increasing Neuroticism, while an increase was noted along with increasing Extraversion. In the case of the non-healthy diet index (nHDI-14) a decrease along with a simultaneous increase in the level of Agreeableness (p < 0.05). Significant (but weak) correlations have been indicated between personality traits and diet health quality. The identified dependencies may be used to personalise the impact of dietary education among athletes.

Re-interpretation of the mechanism of type 2 diabetes mellitus based on a framework of psychosomatic medicine: a real-world study

ObjectiveUsing bipolar disorder (BD) as a control, we explored the possible developmental process of impaired glucose metabolism rhythm.MethodsIn total, 441 subjects (77, 162, 134, 54, and 14 in the pre-diabetes [pre-DM], DM, BD, BD + pre-DM, and BD + DM groups, respectively) and 160 controls were included. All subjects were assessed using the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axes were measured.ResultsCluster analysis showed that the BD, BD + DM, and DM groups were classified as the ‘disease group, the BD + pre-DM group as the ‘mixed period group’, and the pre-DM group as the ‘pre-disease group’. The conscientiousness factor scores of the NEO-FFI in the ‘disease group’ were higher than the norm but lower than the norm in the ‘pre-disease group’. The scores of neurotic factors in the ‘pre-disease’ and ‘mixed period’ groups were both significantly higher than that in the ‘disease group’ (corrected p < 0.001). The incidences of the abnormal HPA axis decreased gradually from the ‘pre-disease group’ to the ‘mixed period group’ then to the ‘disease group’, while those of the HPT axis slightly increased at first and then significantly decreased. The overall prediction rate of the multiple logistic regression model was 92.7%.ConclusionThis study suggests that progression of pre-diabetes to DM is a continuous process from local abnormalities to rhythm disorder of glucose metabolism. This understanding can be applied to the whole course management and early intervention of DM and to the future development of optimised treatment based on rhythm regulation.Trial registrationClinical trial registration number: ChiCTR1800019064. Name of trial registration: Identify and the optimization of treatment for non-infectious chronic diseases under the “stress-dysrhythmia” theory hypothesis (Registration date: 24/10/2018). The full trial protocol can be accessed at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/).

Personality and brain contribute to academic achievements of medical students.

There are many factors that influence the academic achievements of medical students, but how personality and brain modulate the academic achievements of medical students remains unclear. The study collected the personality, brain imaging, and academic data from 448 medical students at Tianjin Medical University with admission time between 2008 and 2017. Four types of academic achievements, including behavioral and social sciences, clinical sciences and skills, basic biomedical sciences, and scientific methods, were assessed by the academic records of 58 courses. Personality was evaluated by Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire and Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Personality Inventory. Brain structural and functional properties, including gray matter volume, spontaneous brain activity and functional connectivity, were computed based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Linear regression was used to evaluate the associations between personality and academic achievements. A voxel-wise correlation was used to identify areas of the brain where structural and functional properties were associated with academic achievements. Mediation analysis was used to test whether brain properties and personality independently contribute to academic achievements. Our results showed that novelty seeking (NS) was negatively correlated, and conscientiousness was positively correlated with all types of academic achievements. Brain functional properties showed negatively correlated with academic achievement in basic biomedical sciences. However, we did not find any mediation effect of the brain functional properties on the association between personality (NS and conscientiousness) and academic achievement in basic biomedical sciences, nor mediation effect of the personality (NS and conscientiousness) on the association between brain functional properties and academic achievement in basic biomedical sciences. These findings suggest that specific personality (NS and conscientiousness) and brain functional properties independently contribute to academic achievements in basic biomedical sciences, and that modulation of these properties may benefit academic achievements among medical students.

Forensic psychiatric analysis of organic personality disorders after craniocerebral injury in Shanghai, China.

ObjectiveTo explore the incidence rate and the differences of clinical manifestations of organic personality disorders with varying degrees of craniocerebral trauma.Materials and methodsAccording to the International Classification of Diseases-10, 1,027 subjects with craniocerebral trauma caused by traffic accidents were reviewed, the degrees of craniocerebral trauma were graded and those with personality disorder after craniocerebral trauma were diagnosed. The personality characteristics of all patients were evaluated by using the simplified Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI).ResultsThe incidence rate of organic personality disorder after all kinds of craniocerebral trauma was 33.1%, while it was 38.7 and 44.2% in the patients after moderate and severe craniocerebral trauma, respectively, which was significantly higher than that in the patients after mild craniocerebral trauma (18.0%) (P < 0.05). Compared with the patients without personality disorder, the neuroticism, extraversion and agreeableness scores all showed significantly differences (P < 0.05) in the patients with personality disorder after craniocerebral trauma; especially the conscientiousness scores showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the patients with personality disorder after moderate and severe craniocerebral trauma. The agreeableness and conscientiousness scores in the patients with personality disorder after moderate and severe craniocerebral trauma were significantly lower than that after mild craniocerebral trauma, and the patients with personality disorder after severe craniocerebral trauma had lower scores in extraversion than that after mild craniocerebral trauma.ConclusionThe severity and area of craniocerebral trauma is closely related to the incidence rate of organic personality disorder, and it also affects the clinical manifestations of the latter, which provides a certain significance and help for forensic psychiatric appraisal.

Personality Impact on Alzheimer's Disease - Signature and Vascular Imaging Markers: A PET-MRI Study.

Several studies postulated that personality is an independent determinant of cognitive trajectories in old age. This study explores the impact of personality on widely used Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular imaging markers. We examined the association between personality and three classical AD imaging markers (centiloid-based-amyloid load, MRI volumetry in hippocampus, and media temporal lobe atrophy), and two vascular MRI parameters (Fazekas score and number of cortical microbleeds) assessed at baseline and upon a 54-month-follow-up. Personality was assessed with the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Personality Inventory-Revised. Regression models were used to identify predictors of imaging markers including sex, personality factors, presence of APOE ɛ4 allele and cognitive evolution over time. Cortical GM volumes were negatively associated with higher levels of Conscientiousness both at baseline and follow-up. In contrast, higher scores of Openness were related to better preservation of left hippocampal volumes in these two time points and negatively associated with medial temporal atrophy at baseline. Amyloid load was not affected by personality factors. Cases with higher Extraversion scores displayed higher numbers of cortical microbleeds at baseline. Personality impact on brain morphometry is detected only in some among the routinely used imaging markers. The most robust associations concern the positive role of high levels of Conscientiousness and Openness on AD-signature MRI markers. Higher extraversion levels are associated with increased vulnerability to cortical microbleeds pointing to the fact that the socially favorable traits may have a detrimental effect on brain integrity in old age.

Lack of association between generic brittleness and neuropsychiatric measures in patients with epilepsy

PurposeIn a prior bioequivalence study, generic brittle (GB) patients with epilepsy who were considered at risk of worsened seizures or drug side effects from switching antiepileptic drug (AED) formulations demonstrated no significant difference in their drug levels when switched between a brand and generic AED. An alternative basis for being GB may relate to having a personality or mindset that predisposes to poor outcomes from a formulation switch. The objective of this study was to explore whether GB patients with epilepsy could be differentiated from not GB patients based on standardized measures of personality, mood, outlook, and beliefs. MethodsThis was an exploratory, observational, case-control, non-therapeutic study in patients with epilepsy. Patient interviews were conducted, and histories were collected, yielding each patient (n = 148) to be determined as GB or not GB. Eight neuropsychiatry tests were administered to n = 127 of these patients. Tests included Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Personality Inventory 3 (NEO-PI 3), Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-89 (QOLIE-89), Adverse Childhood Experiences Score (ACE), Physical Symptoms Questionnaire or Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Beliefs About Medicines Questionnaire Epilepsy (BMQ-Epilepsy). A total of 23 Chi squared analyses, along with logistical regression, were performed to assess which tests and sub-elements associated with GB status. ResultsNone of the neuropsychiatry tests or their sub-elements differentiated GB patients from not GB patients. Results implicate that standardized measures of personality, mood, outlook, and beliefs about their healthcare do not differ between GB and not GB patients with epilepsy, possibly because generic brittleness is caused by factors that neuropsychiatry tests do not measure. ConclusionsWe hypothesized that being GB may relate to having a personality or mindset that predisposes patients to attributing poor outcomes to a formulation switch. However, findings here in patients with epilepsy did not uncover neuropsychiatric factors that predict which patients were GB and which were not GB.

Evaluation of stress level and its association with personality traits among trainees at an armed forces training establishment

Introduction: Stress cannot be considered a simple “stimulus-response reaction,” but it is a complex interaction between an individual and the environment, comprising subjective perception and evaluation of stressors and then responding in a highly personalized manner. The present study was conducted to assess the personality traits of trainees and explore their association with levels of perceived stress. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted on 911 trainees. For data collection, two instruments were used – Perceived Stress Score by Cohen for assessing stress among the subjects and Revised Neuroticism–Extraversion–Openness Personality Inventory for personality assessment. Results: Overall, the total mean Perceived Stress Score was 12.60 ± 5.62 indicating less than average stress. Only 10.98% of those tested had a score of 20 or more indicating perception of very high stress. Trainees with high perception of stress had significantly higher scores of neuroticism (57.82 ± 9.02, P < 0.05) including all the subfacets. In contrast, trainees with low or average stress perception had significantly higher scores of extraversion (53.57 ± 8.03, P < 0.05) and conscientiousness (54.25 ± 10.30, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study is the first of its kind which tries to not only assess the stress levels among trainees but also explore and compare their personality characteristics. The study brings out that majority of the trainees had average stress and provides definitive evidence of association between high neuroticism, low extraversion, and perception of high stress, and offers a window of opportunity to explore options for remedial action such as incorporation of stress coping-up techniques in Armed Forces training curriculum.

Exploring the Relationship between Attachment Styles, Personality Traits and Fear of Missing Out

In the early years of life, attachment is the most dominant aspect of one’s psyche which plays a major role in the development of personality of an individual later in life which in turn influences how different individuals engage in various social interactions with others. In present times, when the world has come closer, a desire to be acknowledged and validated has become crucial to young adults to define themselves which has led to various psychological problems in them. Fear of missing out has emerged as one of the reasons for distress for many. The present study aims to explore the dynamic relationship between attachment styles (closed, dependent and anxious), Big Five personality traits and fear of missing out as its variables. Based on a quantitative research design, a sample of 281 participants between the age group of 18-25 are chosen and three standardised scales; the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS), Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and Fear of Missing Out scale are administered through an online questionnaire. Pearson Product Moment correlation method is used for data analysis and additionally the stepwise regression is also employed. Results suggest that extraversion and agreeableness share a significant positive relationship with closed and dependent attachment style. In addition, neuroticism is significantly negative with closed and dependent attachment. Findings also suggests that conscientiousness, extraversion and agreeableness are negatively correlated with anxious attachment style. Additionally, neuroticism is positively significant with anxious attachment. Moreover, agreeableness and conscientiousness are found to have a significant negative correlation with fear of missing out, whereas, neuroticism is significantly positive. In addition, fear of missing out is found to be positively related with anxious attachment style. Furthermore, the step-wise multiple regression indicates that agreeableness is the most dominant trait in dependent attachment style, extraversion being the highest predictor of closed attachment style and neuroticism being the most dominant trait in anxious attachment style. Additionally, neuroticism and anxious attachment style make the highest contribution to fear of missing out.

Relationship Between Personality Traits and Psychological Vulnerability: Mediating Role of Smartphone Social Network Usage

Background: According to the spread and popularity of social networks and easy access to them through smartphones, the impact of these networks’ long-term application and consequences, including psychological vulnerability, could not be ignored. Objectives: The present study investigated the mediating role of using smartphone social networks considering personality traits and psychological vulnerability. Methods: The research population included all users (over 18 years of age) of social networks in Isfahan, Iran, from which 250 individuals (i.e. 96 male and 154 female subjects) were selected. The research method was descriptive and causal-correlational. For data collection, the short-form five-factor personality questionnaire neuroticism-extraversion-openness (NEO), the smartphone social media addiction questionnaire, and a psychological vulnerability questionnaire were used. The Pearson correlation coefficient and the path analysis of structural equation modeling were employed to analyze the data. Results: The findings revealed that among personality factors, neuroticism and low extraversion could explain the use of social networks in a significant and desirable way. Moreover, using social networks could explain psychological vulnerability in the form of causal-structural relationships. Conclusions: The findings indicated a relatively good fit of the measurement model. Accordingly, the variable of social network usage plays a mediating role in the relationship between psychological vulnerability and some personality traits.

Parental Self-Efficacy and Behavioral Problems in Children with Autism During COVID-19: A Moderated Mediation Model of Parenting Stress and Perceived Social Support.

PurposeCOVID-19 pandemic has been verified as a public health emergency of international concern. During the special period, the health of vulnerable groups, such as children with autism, should be concerned. Some studies have been carried out to investigate the behavioral problems of children with autism during the COVID-19, but underlying mechanisms behind it is not clear. This study examines the role of parenting stress as a mediator in the relationship between parental self-efficacy and behavioral problems in Chinese children as well as the role of perceived social support as a moderator for this mediation effect.MethodsA total of 439 parents of children with autism (mean age=40.17, SD=5.26) were surveyed and completed five questionnaires (Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire, Parental Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Parenting Stress Index-Short Form 15, Perceived Social Support Questionnaire, and Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five Factor Inventory). The statistical analyses were conducted by SPSS 26.0 and SPSS PROCESS macro.ResultsControlling for neuroticism, which is highly associated with psychological changes in parents, the study found that parental self-efficacy was significantly and negatively correlated with behavioral problems in children with autism. In addition, the relationship between parental self-efficacy and behavioral problems was mediated by parenting stress. Furthermore, parenting stress moderated the indirect relationship between parental self-efficacy and behavioral problems via perceived social support.ConclusionThese results provide direct evidences for the inextricable relationship between family, social factors and behavioral problems of children with autism. It suggest that improving perceived social support to enhance parental self-efficacy is critical to buffering against parenting stress and stabilizing children with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More Insight on the Role of Personality Traits and Sensitivity to Experimental Pain.

PurposeThe present study aimed to assess the influence of personality traits on the variability of sensitivity to pain in two distinct groups of healthy subjects with low versus high sensitivity to pain (LSP vs HSP, respectively).MethodsHealthy subjects (n=156) were allocated to two groups according to their tolerability to cold stimulation (cold pressor test, CPT, 1°C). Group LSP (n=76) reached the cut-off time of 180±0 sec, and a size matched group of HSP (n=80) tolerated the CPT for an average of 10.5±3.4 sec only. Subjects from both groups completed the self-reported pain sensitivity questionnaire (PSQ), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness - Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI).ResultsIn comparison to the LSP group, HSP individuals had higher scores of PSQ (p<0.001), catastrophizing (p=0.001), and extraversion (p=0.01). By adjusting for age and gender, mediation analyses revealed that catastrophizing mediated the relationship between neuroticism and pain sensitivity, both in the allocation of subjects to a certain group of sensitivity to pain (LSP or HSP, B=0.02 95% CI: 0.006–0.040) and in the PSQ score (B=0.01 95% CI: 0.001–0.023).ConclusionThese results, which were demonstrated by two different prisms (CPT and PSQ), point to the potential of the five-factor inventory and pain catastrophizing scale as tools for identifying specific personality traits associated with a high sensitivity to pain.

Do Students With Different Majors Have Different Personality Traits? Evidence From Two Chinese Agricultural Universities.

This paper explores whether a Student’s choice of major leads to certain personality traits and the reasons for this phenomenon. Specifically, we look at evidence from two Chinese universities, both of which specialize in agricultural studies. Using the Sixteen Personality Factor (16PF) questionnaire and the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) questionnaire, we collected data from two groups of students: those who study agriculture-related majors (ARM), and those who study non-agriculture-related majors (NARM). The surveys all showed no significant change in personality traits during Students’ freshman year. However, after 3 years of university study, significant personality trait changes were noted between seniors in the ARM and NARM groups. Whereas ARM seniors tended to be socially shy and lower in communicative competence, NARM seniors were better at expressing themselves and communicating with others. Although a Student’s choice of profession has an influence on their personality traits, it is not the only factor. The differences between ARM and NARM training models and curricula are also undoubtedly significant. Moreover, the bias against ARM in Chinese society further magnifies the differences in personality traits among students with different majors.

Role of Positive Thinking and Personality Traits in Predicting Satisfaction with Nasal Surgeries

Background: Rhinoplasty is recognized as a complicated, but common procedure. Although patient satisfaction with these surgeries is less commonly discussed, it is one of the most important determinants of surgical success. This study was done to predict the patients’ satisfaction with nasal surgeries, based on their personality traits and positive thinking. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study was conducted in Shiraz, Iran, during the fall and winter of 2017. A total of 200 individuals undergoing rhinoplasty were selected, using the convenience sampling method. The Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation-Revised (ROE-R) questionnaire, Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Positive (ATQ-P), and Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness (NEO) personality inventory were used for data collection. The obtained results were analyzed by SPSS v. 23, using inferential statistics and stepwise regression analysis. Results: The results showed that satisfaction with nose fitness had a significant positive relationship with agreeableness and openness (P&lt;0.01). Also, the overall satisfaction with surgery had a significant positive relationship with these personality traits, while a significant negative relationship was found with neuroticism (P&lt;0.01). Moreover, the results showed that positive thinking and personality traits could predict 6% of changes in the overall satisfaction with surgery (P&lt;0.001). Neuroticism showed an inverse correlation with satisfaction (P=0.001, β=-0.24). Conclusion: Regarding the relationship between satisfaction with rhinoplasty and personality traits, it was found that different personality traits are associated with different attitudes, influencing surgical outcomes, and satisfaction.

Mental Health of Parents of Special Needs Children in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We assessed the mental health of parents (N = 1450, Mage = 40.76) of special needs children during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an online survey comprising items on demographic data; two self-designed questionnaires (children’s behavioral problems/psychological demand of parents during COVID-19); and four standardized questionnaires, including the General Health Questionnaire, Perceived Social Support, Parenting Stress Index, and Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five Factor Inventory. The results showed that there were significant differences among parents of children with different challenges. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder were more likely to have mental health problems compared to parents whose children had an intellectual disability or a visual or hearing impairment. Behavioral problems of children and psychological demands of parents were common factors predicting the mental health of all parents. Parent–child dysfunctional interactions and parenting distress were associated with parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Family support, having a difficult child, and parenting distress were associated with having children with an intellectual disability. It is necessary to pay attention to the parents’ mental health, provide more social and family support, and reduce parenting pressures.

Personality Factors' Impact on the Structural Integrity of Mentalizing Network in Old Age: A Combined PET-MRI Study.

The mentalizing network (MN) treats social interactions based on our understanding of other people's intentions and includes the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), temporoparietal junction (TPJ), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), precuneus (PC), and amygdala. Not all elders are equally affected by the aging-related decrease of mentalizing abilities. Personality has recently emerged as a strong determinant of functional connectivity in MN areas. However, its impact on volumetric changes across the MN in brain aging is still unknown. To address this issue, we explored the determinants of volume decrease in MN components including amyloid burden, personality, and APOE genotyping in a previously established cohort of 130 healthy elders with a mean follow-up of 54 months. Personality was assessed with the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Personality Inventory-Revised. Regression models corrected for multiple comparisons were used to identify predictors of volume loss including time, age, sex, personality, amyloid load, presence of APOE epsilon 4 allele, and cognitive evolution. In cases with higher Agreeableness scores, there were lower volume losses in PCC, PC, and amygdala bilaterally. This was also the case for the right mPFC in elders displaying lower Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. In multiple regression models, the effect of Agreeableness was still observed in left PC and right amygdala and that of Conscientiousness was still observed in right mPFC volume loss (26.3% of variability, significant age and sex). Several Agreeableness (Modesty) and Conscientiousness (order, dutifulness, achievement striving, and self-discipline) facets were positively related to increased volume loss in cortical components of the MN. In conclusion, these data challenge the beneficial role of higher levels of Agreeableness and Conscientiousness in old age, showing that they are associated with an increased rate of volume loss within the MN.

The relationship between personality traits, caring characteristics and abuse tendency among professional caregivers of older people with dementia in long-term care facilities.

To explore the relationship between personality traits, caring characteristics and abuse tendency among professional caregivers of older people with dementia in long-term care facilities in China. Elder abuse is a serious global health problem and human right violation with high incidence among older people with dementia. There are many investigations about impact factors of risk of abuse among family caregivers of older people with dementia. However, in long-term care facilities, the situation of abuse tendency needs further investigation. Cross-sectional study. An observational survey was conducted according to the STROBE checklist. We investigated 156 professional caregivers of older people with dementia in three long-term care facilities in Guangzhou, China. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE) and the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman's rank correlation and logistic regression analyses. Over half of the participants (51.9%) reported abuse tendency to the older people with dementia. There was a significant negative correlation between the caregivers' agreeableness scores of NEO-FFI and their CASE scores. Multivariate logistic regression analyses highlighted that protective factors of abuse tendency were caregivers' agreeableness, care recipients' source of finances and their duration of dementia while higher care difficulty and presence of older people's behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) were the risk factors. Caregivers' agreeableness personality trait and the caring characteristics of older people with dementia may be relevant to abuse tendency in long-term care facilities. Further study with a larger sample size is needed to validate such a correlation. Older people with dementia are at high risk for abuse. Prospective caregivers could pay more attention to developing their own agreeableness. The managers might establish monitoring system for reducing the abuse.

Less agreeable, better preserved? A PET amyloid and MRI study in a community-based cohort

The relationship between personality profiles and brain integrity in old age is still a matter of debate. We examined the association between Big Five factor and facet scores and MRI brain volume changes on a 54-month follow-up in 65 elderly controls with 3 neurocognitive assessments (baseline, 18 months, and 54 months), structural brain MRI (baseline and 54 months), brain amyloid PET during follow-up, and APOE genotyping. Personality was assessed with the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Personality Inventory-Revised. Regression models were used to identify predictors of volume loss including time, age, sex, personality, amyloid load, presence of APOE ε4 allele, and cognitive evolution. Lower agreeableness factor scores (and 4 of its facets) were associated with lower volume loss in the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, amygdala, mesial temporal lobe, and precuneus bilaterally. Higher openness factor scores (and 2 of its facets) were also associated with lower volume loss in the left hippocampus. Our findings persisted when adjusting for confounders in multivariable models. These data suggest that the combination of low agreeableness and high openness is an independent predictor of better preservation of brain volume in areas vulnerable to neurodegeneration.