Personality Vulnerability Factors Research Articles

Perinatal mental health and Covid-19-related distress: the role of personality traits.

Perinatal mental health is a topic of growing interest, that could affect mothers in a period of high vulnerability, and the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic is an important factor to consider in this field. The aim of our study is to study the correlations between five dimensions of personality and subjective Covid-19-related distress in a sample of women in the perinatal period. The study included 114 Italian women in the perinatal period. Subjects were asked to complete the Big Five Inventory (BIG-5) and a version of the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) anchored to Covid-19-related distress. When the BIG-5 personality traits and several confounding variables were included in a regression model with IES-R total score as criterion, neuroticism subscale of BIG-5 inventory was the only variable independently associated with higher IES-R total score (p<0.001). Our study highlights the importance of considering the personality vulnerability factors that can worsen psychopathological symptoms of women in the perinatal period, especially in periods of high psychological stress.

Why common job demands are challenging for individuals with mental illness: the interaction of personal vulnerability factors and ableist norms

PurposeDrawing on the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, this study aims to examine which job demands individuals with diagnosed mental illness perceive to be most challenging as they navigate the workplace, why this is the case and which resources individuals tend to mobilize to meet these demands.Design/methodology/approachThe authors draw on 257 qualitative surveys filled out by individuals with mental illness in various parts of the world.FindingsThe findings show that job demands that are common in today's workplace such as a high workload and a stressful environment are considered challenging by individuals with mental illness. Further, the authors show that this is the result of the ideal worker norm consisting of the need to be a steady performer that is confident, resilient and social with which the performer cannot comply on the one hand and the particularities of this population, such as performers' self-perceived low self-esteem, sensitivity to stress, fluctuating symptoms and difficulties with the social aspects of organizational life on the other hand.Originality/valueThe study points to the unique challenges of individuals with mental illness in the workplace and highlights the role human resource management (HRM) can play in providing support to allow this population to meet the demands of one's job more easily and thrive at work.

The Mediating Roles of Perceived Burdensomeness and Thwarted Belongingness in the Relationship Between Personality Vulnerability Factors and Suicidal Ideation: An Asian College Student Sample

ABSTRACT Substantial body of empirical evidence supports the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS; Joiner, 2005); however, the association between personality vulnerability factors and IPTS constructs had yet to be examined in Asian college students. The present study examined Blatt’s (1974) model of personality in relation to Joiner’s (2005) IPTS in a sample of 403 college students in Taiwan. Findings indicated that the interaction of the two interpersonal needs factors predicted suicidal ideation; the effect of the interpersonal needs factor on suicidal ideation was mainly due to perceived burdensomeness. Moreover, perceived burdensomeness emerged as the sole mediator in the link between self-criticism and suicidal ideation, as well as between dependency and suicidal ideation. The findings underscore the potential value of targeting perceived burdensomeness in suicide prevention and intervention programs for college students. Specific advice for the practice of cognitive-behavioral therapy are discussed.

¿En qué se diferencian las agresiones sexuales cometidas en solitario y en grupo? Una revisión sistemática

The study of sexual assault has had great relevance and interest in the literature. Group sexual assaults represent a small proportion of all sexual assaults committed, but they have specific characteristics. Internationally, it is established that between 10 and 33 % of sexual assaults have been committed by multiple authors. Describing the differences between individual versus group sexual assaults has been a challenge for researchers. The literature has concluded that there is a difference in the etiology of sexual assaults committed according to the number of authors. While in solo sexual assaults personal vulnerability factors may explain why these crimes are committed, in group assaults group behavior dynamics explain the interaction between more subjects. This systematic review examined the variables of sexual assault crimes committed alone versus in a group. A literature search was conducted on the Psycinfo, Academic Search (EBSCO) and Google Scholar databases. In the first analysis a total of 34 studies were initially identified, and after filtering the reasons for exclusion the analysis was performed with eight investigations. The results show that there is evidence of qualitative differences between sexual assaults committed according to the number of offenders. The dynamics promoted in the groups explain the subjects’ participation in group sexual aggressions. Collective behavior favors sexual aggressions in groups because of the processes inherent to the group. The most common group was two subjects (dyad) although the average group was usually composed of three subjects. The offenders are mostly men; the lone offenders are older, and as the groups become larger, the age of the offenders decreases. Research has shown that the majority of victims are female, both in single and group assaults. Victims are also younger than the perpetrators, especially in multi-subject attacks, and they are more resistant to single-aggression attacks. The place where the crime is committed presents significant differences. Some authors found that offenders in groups of three or more people often commit the assault in an indoor space, although others found that lone offenders were more likely than group offenders to rape the victim indoors, especially in the bedroom. It has been confirmed that in group aggressions more sexual acts are carried out and more violence is used. Vaginal penetration is the most committed sexual assault, followed by anal and oral rape. In all cases, vaginal rape is more prevalent among group sexual assaults, even more so when the assaults are committed by groups of three or more subjects. Studies of multiple perpetrator sexual assaults show that this type of act increases the probability of suffering more injuries and long-term health problems. Another conclusion that can be drawn is that there are significant differences in the timing of stranger assault, with a higher likelihood of a stranger assault in group rapes. On the other hand, there is also a relevance in the presence of other instrumental factors such as alcohol and weapons. As for alcohol, it showed a significant relationship in sexual assaults. Although the presence of weapons in sexual assaults is not very common, some research has confirmed that groups tend to threaten victims with a weapon to a greater extent, and the knife is often the most common weapon. The results found are particularly relevant to understanding sexual assault crimes and have implications for crime prevention and the treatment of victims. https://doi.org/10.16888/interd.2022.39.2.4

A longitudinal investigation of the mediating role of humor in the relationship between personality vulnerability factors and depressive symptoms

Cross-sectional findings indicated that humor mediated between personality vulnerability factors (self-criticism and dependency) and depressive symptoms, although the specific mechanisms may differ across different samples. To address the limitations associated with cross-sectional designs, the present study sought to examine the longitudinal relationship among personality vulnerability factors, humor styles, and depressive symptoms. Data on Depressive Experience Questionnaire (DEQ), Humor Style Questionnaire (HSQ), and Center of Epidemiological Study – Depression (CESD) were collected from 301 participants at both baseline (data previously presented in Lin et al., 2021) and 2-month follow-up. Results indicated that self-enhancing humor mediated the longitudinal relationship between both personality vulnerability factors (self-criticism and dependency) and depressive symptoms, while affiliative humor mediated the longitudinal relationship between self-criticism and depressive symptoms. In sum, benign humor, especially self-enhancing humor, appeared to play a significant mediating role in the longitudinal relationship between personality vulnerability factors and depressive symptoms. Relevant research and clinical implications are discussed.

Self-acceptance and nonreactive observing predict adolescent psychopathology over and above the big five

We sought to determine the relationship between dispositional mindfulness, Big Five personality traits, and psychopathology in a sample of adolescents at high risk for mood and anxiety disorders. The incremental utility of dispositional mindfulness in predicting psychopathology over and above the Big Five was investigated using a facet-level approach. One hundred and thirty-one adolescents (M = 13.76, SD = 1.65) who had a parent with a history of mood or anxiety disorders completed measures of dispositional mindfulness and facets of mindfulness (i.e., attention and awareness, nonreactivity, nonjudgement, and self-acceptance), the Big Five model of personality, psychopathology (i.e., internalizing, externalizing, and total problems scales), and mindfulness experience. Hierarchical multiple regressions were performed. Controlling for sex, mindfulness experience, and theory driven Big Five factors, higher dispositional mindfulness related to fewer internalizing, externalizing, and total problems. Mindfulness facet self-acceptance was key to this association. Nonreactivity moderated effects of attention and awareness, such that higher attention and awareness correlated to fewer internalizing and total problems only when nonreactivity was also high. Therefore, self-acceptance and nonreactive observing may be unique components of mindfulness that have implications for adolescent psychopathological symptoms, even controlling for well-established personality vulnerability factors. Future adolescent mindfulness intervention research and practice should emphasize techniques that involve observation while concurrently enhancing nonreactivity and self-acceptance.

A new behavioral addiction: NEWS addiction

Addictions are seen with non - psychoactive substances also. Behavioral addictions is a broad terminology used related to this. The essential feature of behavioral addictions is the failure to resist an impulse, drive or temptation to perform an act that is harmful to the person or to others. There are many individual (personal vulnerability) factors that may be involved in the acquisition, development and maintenance of behavioral addictions. Concepts of Internet addiction, Gaming addiction, Facebook addiction, PubG addiction are already in use and seen in clinical practice. There are people who read multiple newspapers and watch news channels all the time. Addiction to NEWS has become more prevalent with the increase in news channels and internet sources. Connecting to the News is becoming more prevalent with the media rich environment we live in. Based on different needs each person gets attracted to certain types of news that feeds these needs. When a person has a goal to know what is happening around, he never really achieves it because there is always something new happening! Persons with News addiction also feel emptiness when they are unable to get the news and can experience cravings when they go through news withdrawal. Identification is the first step in the process of learning about a problem / disorder. There needs to be systematic studies on this topic. 'NEWS addiction' has all the features to be the next major behavioral addiction disorder.

Personality, Cognition, and Adaptability to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations with Loneliness, Distress, and Positive and Negative Mood States.

The current research examined personality and individual difference factors associated with the perceived ability to adapt to the significant challenges accompanying the ongoing public health crisis concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study investigated the associations among self-reported adaptability to the pandemic and personality predispositions (dependency, self-criticism, mattering, and self-esteem), cognitive factors (positive, negative, and loneliness automatic thoughts), loneliness, distress, and mood states. A sample of 462 college students from Israel completed an online questionnaire after 10 weeks of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results confirmed that personality vulnerability factors underscored by a negative sense of self (i.e., self-criticism and dependency) and individual difference factors reflecting self-esteem, feelings of mattering, and fear of not mattering are associated in meaningful ways with adaptability to the pandemic, loneliness, distress, negative mood states, and positive mood states. Most notably, higher self-reported adaptability to the pandemic is associated with lower dependency, self-criticism, and fear of not mattering, and higher levels of self-esteem and mattering. The findings attest to the central role of adaptability and related individual difference factors in acclimatizing to the numerous changes and challenges associated with the COVID-19 crisis. The theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.

Interrelation Between Increased BDNF Gene Methylation and High Sociotropy, a Personality Vulnerability Factor in Cognitive Model of Depression.

PurposeIt is suggested that increased methylation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene is involved in the pathogenesis of depression, while sociotropy and autonomy are proposed as personality vulnerability factors in cognitive model of depression. We examined the interrelation between BDNF gene methylation and sociotropy or autonomy, with taking into account the previously reported deleterious effect of parental overprotection on sociotropy.Materials and MethodsThe participants consisted of 90 healthy Japanese volunteers. Methylation levels of the BDNF gene in peripheral blood were quantified by bisulfite pyrosequencing. Sociotropy and autonomy were assessed by the Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale, and perceived parental protection was evaluated by the Parental Bonding Instrument.ResultsIn Pearson’s correlation analysis, there was a positive correlation between methylation levels of the BDNF gene and sociotropy scores (p<0.05) but not autonomy scores, and a positive correlation between maternal protection scores and sociotropy scores (p<0.05). In structural equation modeling, two models were proposed; the first one is that hypermethylation of the BDNF gene and maternal overprotection independently contribute to high sociotropy, and the second one is that maternal overprotection contributes to high sociotropy which then leads to hypermethylation of the BDNF gene.ConclusionThe present study suggests an interrelation between increased BDNF gene methylation and high sociotropy.

Encountering Patient Suicide During Psychiatric Training: An Integrative, Systematic Review.

Patient suicide is an adversity that can be considered an "occupational hazard." It has been identified as one of the most stressful adverse events during psychiatric training. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature assessing the impact of patient suicide on trainees. We conducted a systematic review on the MEDLINE, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Studies that reported prevalence of patient suicide, quantitative or qualitative assessment of psychological and professional impacts, coping strategies, and support or educational and postvention programs were deemed eligible for inclusion. Of the 1994 articles identified, 22 were included. The literature on the topic was scarce, and the quality of the studies was moderate. No article dealt with nonpsychiatric residents. During their training, 46.4% of psychiatric trainees encountered at least one patient suicide. The traumatic impact was significantly more intense in trainees compared to senior physicians. A negative impact on their professional practice was reported by 17% to 39% of trainees. Formal institutional support for the affected trainees was described as having major shortcomings, and informal support from peers and families was reported as the most helpful response. However, 52% of impacted trainees considered encountering patient suicide a useful and beneficial experience. The frequent posttraumatic symptoms and the negative professional consequences following patient suicide are worrying phenomena that highlight the need to improve suicide prevention and postvention programs during psychiatric training. Identifying trainees with personal vulnerability factors should be a major concern during the postvention process.

The relationship between attachment styles and internalizing/externalizing problems: The mediating role of self-criticism

Many recent studies have explored the potential links between attachment style dimensions, personality vulnerability factors for psychopathology, and psychological and behavioral problems, particularly those along the internalizing and externalizing spectrum. However, previous studies have not examined these links within a structural equation model that can examine multiple predictors and outcomes, and therefore have not fully investigated the specificity of links between these factors. This cross-sectional study examined the mediating role of self-criticism in the relationship between attachment style dimensions and internalizing and externalizing problems. The sample included 420 nonclinical adolescents aged 14–20 years who were recruited in school settings and completed self-reported measures of attachment style dimensions (Attachment Style Questionnaire), self-criticism (Depressive Experiences Questionnaire), and internalizing and externalizing problems (Youth Self-Report). Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed mediation model and to ascertain direct and indirect effects among study variables. Results shown that self-criticism mediated the link between both attachment avoidance and anxiety, and internalizing problems. Results were not moderated by gender. Results suggest that self-criticism is associated with psychopathology during adolescence, and accounts for the associations of attachment style dimensions with internalizing and externalizing problems.

Personal resources and personal vulnerability factors at work: An application of the Job Demands-Resources model among teachers at private schools in Peru

We examine the role of personal resources (hardiness) and personal vulnerability factors (external locus of control and helplessness) at work, among 430 teachers at private schools. Based on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and the conservation of resources theory, we parallel tested both motivational and health-impairment processes on the teachers’ individual outcomes. The JDR model’s motivational process was related to life satisfaction, and the health impairment process to perception of ill health. We hypothesize that hardiness will foster work engagement and that its role in the motivational process will be to mediate between job resources and work engagement. Then, we hypothesize that hardiness will prevent job burnout. Self-evaluations are expected to be activated by job burnout as an effect of its third dimension, inefficacy. We examine the mediational role of these self-evaluations between job burnout and ill health, and between job burnout and life satisfaction. The hypotheses are tested simultaneously using structured equation modelling. The results indicate that hardiness partially mediates the relationship between job resources and work engagement, and that hardiness reduces job burnout. Self-evaluations did not increase perception of ill health, but they did mediate the relationship between job burnout and life satisfaction. The findings show that hardiness plays the role of a personal resource in the motivational process and that it also has a preventive function against job burnout. Personal vulnerability factors, in the form of self-evaluations, were activated by job burnout, and their role was to significantly reduce life satisfaction. We discuss the implications of these findings.

Prevalence of and risk factors for minor and major depression among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan.

This study was conducted to estimate prevalence rates and risk factors for late-life depression in a large nationwide representative sample from Taiwan. A total of 5,664, randomly sampled individuals aged ≥55 years were enrolled. Clinically, relevant depressive symptoms were classified using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D score ≥16), and major depression was confirmed using the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders. Individuals with clinically relevant depressive symptoms, who did not meet the strict diagnostic criteria for major depression, were considered to have minor depression. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for major and minor depression, including socio-demographic characteristics, medical conditions, lifestyle behaviors, social support network, and life events. The prevalence rates of minor and major depression were 3.7% and 1.5%, respectively. Major depression was associated with personal vulnerability factors, such as poor social support, cognitive impairment, comorbid pain conditions, and sleep disturbance. However, minor depression was more likely to be related to adverse life events, including increased burden on families, changes in health status, or relationship problem. Approximately, 20.0% of individuals with major depression received antidepressant treatment. Late-life depression was less prevalent among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan than among populations in other countries. Our findings may aid the early detection and treatment of late-life depression and provide a basis for future investigations.

Pregabalin use disorder and secondary nicotine dependence in a woman with no substance abuse history

This is an addictovigilance report of a pregabalin use disorder case in a young female patient who secondarily presented a tobacco use disorder after smoking initiation combined with pregabalin intake. Pregabalin was first prescribed for anxiety. Concomitant use of pregabalin with tobacco led to a synergic effect of both substances. She presented a craving behavior for pregabalin, with a tolerance phenomenon and a withdrawal syndrome between pregabaline intakes. The patient had a history of depressive disorder, personality disorder and anorexia, but never had any history of substance use disorder. This case report is noteworthy for 3 reasons: 1: this is one of the first report of pregabalin use disorder in a patient without any substance abuse disorder (licit or illicit), with the exception of a personal vulnerability factors to substance abuse; 2: the patient presented characteristics of pregabalin use disorder at usual dose (below 300mg per day), with drug-seeking behavior, tolerance phenomenon and intense craving with these moderate doses; 3: concomitant use of pregabalin with tobacco led to a synergic effect of both substances.

Preliminary data from a longitudinal 3-year study of patients with adjustment disorder

IntroductionAdjustment disorder (AD) is a common diagnosis, but there are relatively few studies, in part because the current definition is still poorly specified, inadequate and controversial. Some clinicians and researchers have pointed out that a psychiatric diagnosis should present a clinical description, as well as date based on psychological, biological and/or sociofamiliar studies, and follow-up investigation about outcome and prognosis, to increase the reliability and validity diagnosis and permits exclusion of other possible disorders and normality. There is much empirical evidence to indicate that AD is a transient disorder with a tendency to spontaneous remission. However, some studies have shown that patients with AD often develop major psychiatric disorders, presenting a higher rate of psychiatric morbidity, e.g., higher suicide rates.AimThe aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as some possible personal vulnerability factors in patients with AD.MethodThis longitudinal study was carried out on 80 outpatients diagnoses with AD at a Mental Health Unit, who were followed up for 3 years. It was analyzed different clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsSignificant differences between groups were found in some of the variables considered.ConclusionsThe results add empirical evidence to a controversial and little-researched diagnostic category and provide guidelines for assessment and intervention. They also may contribute to improve diagnostic classifications.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

EMDR With Sex Offenders: Using Offense Drivers to Guide Conceptualization and Treatment

Evidence shows that sexual offenders have higher levels of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) than either the general population or other criminal populations. Historically, it was considered standard practice for sex offender therapists to dissuade their clients from addressing childhood trauma or adversity for fear of excuse making for his offending. The pathways model, which highlights etiology, made room for trauma treatment for offender’s ACE as a legitimate treatment intervention. The adaptive information processing model inherent in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) trauma therapy is theorized to reorganize the maladaptively stored clustering of cognitions and emotions related to overwhelming or traumatic experiences such as childhood sexual abuse. We suggest EMDR therapy as a means of restructuring distorted implicit cognitions and personal vulnerability factors which are theorized to drive offending behavior. Through a comprehensive literature review, the authors considered 5 extant models in the sex offender literature and developed theoffense driversmodel. This model is designed to guide and inform EMDR therapy with sex offenders. A case example illustrates the implementation of this treatment process. A checklist ofoffense driversis provided to assist in case conceptualization and treatment.

Distinctive correlations of sociotropy and autonomy with working models of the self and other

BackgroundBeck's cognitive theory of depression postulates personality vulnerability factors termed sociotropy and autonomy, which are accompanied by characteristic interpersonal styles. Meanwhile, Bartholomew contends that negative working models of the self and other built through insecure attachment relationships are externalized as distinctive interpersonal styles. The present study examined the relationships of sociotropy and autonomy with the self- and other-models, and attempted to promote understanding of the two personality traits from an attachment perspective. MethodsThe subjects were 510 healthy Japanese medical students or hospital staffs. Sociotropy and autonomy were assessed by the Sociotropy–Autonomy Scale, and working models of the self and other were evaluated by the Relationship Scales Questionnaire. ResultsThe sociotropy score was correlated negatively with the self-model score (β=−0.52, p<0.001) and positively with the other-model score (β=0.11, p<0.01). The autonomy score was correlated positively with the self-model score (β=0.10, p<0.05) and negatively with the other-model score (β=−0.33, p<0.001). LimitationsIt may be risky to generalize the present results to general populations or other ethnic groups. ConclusionsThe present study suggests that both sociotropy and autonomy are associated with attachment insecurity, but the marked difference in their correlation patterns with the self- and other-models leads to the distinctive interpersonal styles of the two personality orientations.

Externalizing and Internalizing Behaviors Among Adolescents with Learning Disabilities: Contribution of Adolescents’ Attachment to Mothers and Negative Affect

This study investigated incidence rates of internalizing and externalizing behaviors in the at-risk population of adolescents with learning disabilities (LD) and explored the shared and differing antecedents possibly underlying both maladaptive behavior types. The study aimed to examine a model of three personal vulnerability and protective factors in adolescents—negative affect, attachment to mothers, and sex—in predicting differences in externalizing and internalizing behaviors among adolescents with LD versus adolescents with typical development. Participants included 369 adolescents in Grades 10–11 (ages 15–17 years) from three demographically similar urban public high schools. Descriptive analyses yielded significant group differences on all three measures. Path analysis examined the contribution of this three-factor model for the adjustment of the LD and non-LD groups. A high fit emerged between the theoretical model and the empirical findings, supporting the study hypotheses concerning the role of all three personal factors in understanding differences in the two groups’ internalizing and externalizing maladjustment. The present results also yielded partially different patterns of relations for the two groups, especially regarding adolescents’ secure attachment to mothers and adolescents’ sex as antecedents of maladaptive behavior. Results also indicated the mediating role of adolescents’ negative affect in understanding how adolescents’ sex and attachment to mothers were associated with their internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Discussion focused on understanding the differential value of these personal factors for understanding well-adjusted behavioral functioning in adolescents with versus without LD.

Attachment and coping of dementia care staff: The role of staff attachment style, geriatric nursing self-efficacy, and approaches to dementia in burnout

Past research suggests that dementia care staff are vulnerable to the development of burnout, which has implications for staff well-being and hence the quality of care for people with dementia. Studying personal vulnerability factors in burnout is important as it can guide staff training and support. Attachment theory suggests that adult attachment styles affect caregiving relationships and individuals' responses to stress, providing a framework for understanding caregivers' styles of coping. This cross-sectional survey study examined relationships between staff attachment styles, geriatric nursing self-efficacy, and approaches to dementia in burnout. Seventy-seven members of dementia care staff working on inpatient wards for older people completed self-report questionnaires. Insecure attachment, lower levels of self-efficacy, and more optimistic attitudes in staff were related to higher levels of burnout. Staff training on the role of attachment in dementia care is recommended. Further research is required to explore mediating factors between adult attachment styles and burnout.

1927 – Depressed mood modulates the perception of emotion facial expressions: the role of personality vulnerability factors

Introduction Deficits in decoding emotion facial expressions have been reported in depressed patients and in subclinical depression. These deficits would be related to an attentional bias towards negative vs. positive expressions in the late stages of face processing. Such emotional bias would be a vulnerability factor for depression. Vulnerability to depressed mood has also been related to specific personality patterns (namely: high harm avoidance and low selfdirectedness) and it was advanced that personality-related differences in emotional stimulus processing might mediate this vulnerability. Objectives Therefore, the present study aims to precise the role of personality in emotion facial expression perception deficits in subclinical depression, by the mean of event-related potentials (ERPs). Methods ERPs were recorded in 21 subclinically depressed participants and 18 not-depressed ones, while they were presented neutral and emotional faces (happy, sad, fearful). Results The results show that in subclinically depressed participants only, happy faces elicited smaller P300 and LPP amplitudes than both negative and neutral faces, while earlier processing stages were not modulated by depressed mood. Covariance analysis indicated that these modulations are related to the decreased selfdirectedness reported in subclinically depressed participants, but not to increased harm avoidance. Conclusions These results suggest that harm avoidance would be independent from the specific bias of emotional face processing related to depressed mood, whereas selfdirectedness would be involved in this phenomenon. The results will be discussed regarding clinical implications.