Reward Dependence Scores Research Articles

Distinct temperament and character traits in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is an extreme form of vomiting during pregnancy and is characterized with excessive vomiting and nausea and ketonuria, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration and severe nurtition deficiency. The etiology of HG is considered as multifactorial. Altough there is a great interest to HG in terms of psychiatric conditions, there have been limited numbers of studies that researched personality traits in patients with HG. In present study, we aimed to compare temperament and character traits between pregnant women with and without HG by Temperament and Character Inventory. 48 pregnant women with HG and 64 healthy pregnant women were included to study. The HG groups and control group were compared in terms of temperament and character traits and anxiety levels. The temperament scores of novelty seeking, harm avoidance and reward dependence were found to be similar between groups while the score of persistence was significantly lower in HG group compared with control group (p = .021). All character scores in HG group as cooperativeness, self-directedness, and self‐transcendence were significantly lower compared with control groups (respectively; p = .002, p = .018 and p = .029). The scores of STAI-1 was higher in HG group compared with control group (p = .027) whereas the score of STAI-2 was found to be similar between groups. Present study is the first to demonstrate different temperament and character traits in patients with HG. We argue that our results support the psychiatric background of HG; however further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Psychiatric Assessment in Patients with Mild Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Objectives The findings of previous studies focused on personality disorders in epileptic patients are difficult to interpret due to nonhomogeneous samples and noncomparable methods. Here, we aimed at studying the personality profile in patients with mild temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) with psychiatric comorbidity. Materials and Methods Thirty-five patients with mTLE (22 males, mean age 40.7 ± 12.1) underwent awake and sleep EEG, 3T brain MRI, and an extensive standardized diagnostic neuropsychiatric battery: Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R), Beck Depression Inventory-2, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Drug history was collected in detail. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis was performed on TCI-R data, while all other clinical and psychological variables were compared across the resulting clusters. Results Scores of Harm Avoidance (HA), Reward Dependence (RD), Persistence (P), Cooperativeness (C), and Self-Transcendence (ST) allowed the identification of two clusters, describing different personality subtypes. Cluster 1 was characterized by an early onset, more severe anxiety traits, and combined drug therapy (antiepileptic drug and Benzodiazepine/Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) compared to Cluster 2. Conclusions Our findings suggest that different personality traits may play a role in determining the clinical outcome in patients with mTLE. Specifically, lower scores of HA, RD, P, C, and ST were associated with worse clinical outcome. Thus, personality assessment could serve as an early indicator of greater disease severity, improving the management of mTLE.

Cognitive Function, Emotional and Behavioral Problems, and Temperament of Premature Children

Objectives:We aimed to compare preterm, neurodevelopmentally disordered and healthy full-term children.Methods:We enrolled 47 children who were born preterm, 40 neurodevelopmentally disordered children, and 80 healthy children as control participants, in order to assess the cognitive functioning and the risk of behavioral problems at the age of 5. Children were assessed using the Korean Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-4th edition (K-WPPSI-IV), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI).Results:The mean K-WPPSI-IV score of the preterm group was 87.19±17.36, which was significantly higher than that of the neurodevelopmental disorder group (69.98±28.63; p<0.001) but lower than that of the control group (107.74±14.21; p<0.001). The cumulative CBCL scores of the preterm children were not significantly different from those of the control group. Additionally, the TCI scores for reward dependence of the preterm children were higher than those of the control group.Conclusion:The cognitive performance of preterm infants was lower than that of healthy full-term infants at the age of 5, and there was an association between slower growth and decreased cognitive ability.

Sexual Life Traits Of Chronic Pain Disorder Patients And Relationship Between Temperament And Character Dimensions Of Personality

Objective: It is known that a complex problem is sexual life in patients with chronic pain. Also physicians may ignore this point. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical features, sexual life properties and personality traits of patients with Chronic Pain Disorder (CPD) and healthy controls. We hypothesized that Harm Avoidance (HA) scores would be higher and predictive of compared to healthy controls also sexual dysfunction would found in patient group. Methods: This study was conducted in outpatients with CPD who presented to the Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital’s Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. The sample was comprised of 60 outpatients (53 women, 7 men) who complained of chronic pain for at least 3 months and were not under any medication treatments. The control group comprised of 60 healthy controls (49 women, 11 men). Semi-structured sociodemographic data form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) were administered to the participants. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows, Version 23.0. Results: In CPD patients ASEX scores were significantly higher than healthy controls. It demostrates sexual dysfunction presenting in CPD group. In terms of gender; female ASEX scores were significantly higher than male ones. VAS scores did not correlate to ASEX scores in all of participants. Explatory excitability subscale of Novelty Seeking, Total Cooperativeness and Total Reward Dependence scores were changed negatively correlation with ASEX scores; Harm Avoidance, persistanceness, Self Directedness, Self Trancendance and their subscales did not correlate to ASEX scores. ASEX scores, positively corraleted to Attachment and Sentimentality subsclaes of Reward Dependence. BDI scores changed positively with BAI, ASEX,VAS scores; BAI scores also corraleted positively with VAS and ASEX scores. Helpfulness vs Unhelpfulness and Compassion vs Revengefulness subscales of cooperativeness in patients with CPD positively corraleted to ASEX scores. Conclusion: Temperament and character traits and sexual life properties of the CPD patients were significantly different from the healthy control subjects. Explatory excitability subscale of NS and C is negative predictor of Sexual Dysfunction. Also Helpfulness vs Unhelpfulness and Compassion vs Revengefulness subscale of C is positive predictor of Sexual Dysfunction.

Factors Statistically Predicting At-Risk/Problematic Internet Use in a Sample of Young Adolescent Boys and Girls in South Korea.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate in a gender-sensitive manner factors related to at-risk/problematic Internet use (ARPIU) in a sample of young Korean adolescents. Given prior findings, we hypothesized we would observe specific temperamental, social and biological measures that would statistically predict ARPIU in boys and girls, respectively.Method: Subjects included 653 middle-school students from Chuncheon, Korea who completed measures assessing Internet addiction, mood, temperament, and social interactions. Finger digit (2D:4D) ratios were also assessed. Chi-square and logistic regression models were conducted.Results: Among boys and girls, the ARPIU and non-ARPIU groups showed differences in temperament, mood, social tendencies, and gaming behaviors. In boys, IAT correlated inversely with the 2D:4D digit ratio and novelty-seeking and positively with reward-dependence scores when controlling for BDI scores; these relationships were not found in girls. Multivariate analyses showed that among boys, novelty-seeking, harm avoidance, self-transcendence, and daily time spent gaming statistically predicted ARPIU. Among girls, daily time spent gaming, number of best friends, self-directedness, and cooperation statistically predicted ARPIU.Conclusion: ARPIU was linked to specific temperamental, behavioral and biological characteristics, with specific relationships observed in boys and girls. Specific risk factors may exist for boys and girls with respect to their propensities to developing ARPIU, suggesting the need for gender-sensitive approaches to prevent ARPIU in youth.

Paresthesia frequency in fibromyalgia and its effects on personality traits.

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

Temperament clusters associate with anxiety disorder comorbidity in depression

BackgroundIndividual temperament is associated with psychiatric morbidity and could explain differences in psychiatric comorbidities. We investigated the association of temperament profile clusters with anxiety disorder comorbidity in patients with depression. MethodsWe assessed the temperament of 204 specialized care-treated depressed patients with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-R) and their diagnoses with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Two-step cluster analysis was used for defining patients’ temperament profiles and logistic regression analysis was used for predicting different anxiety disorders for various temperament profiles. ResultsFour temperament clusters were found: 1) Novelty seekers with highest Novelty Seeking scores (n = 56),2) Persistent with highest Persistence scores (n = 36), 3) Reserved with lowest Novelty Seeking scores (n = 66) and 4) Wearied with highest Harm avoidance, lowest Reward Dependence and lowest Persistence scores (n = 58). After adjusting for clinical variables, panic disorder and/or agoraphobia were predicted by Novelty seekers’ temperament profile with odds ratio [OR] = 3.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8 − 6.9, p < 0.001), social anxiety disorder was predicted by Wearied temperament profile with OR = 3.4 (95% CI = 1.6 − 7.5, p = 0.002), and generalized anxiety disorder was predicted by Reserved temperament profile with OR = 2.6 (95% CI = 1.2 − 5.3, p = 0.01). LimitationsThe patients’ temperament profiles were assessed while displaying depressive symptoms, which may have affected results. ConclusionsTemperament clusters with unique dimensional profiles were specifically associated with different anxiety disorders in this study. These results suggest that TCI-R could offer a valuable dimensional method for predicting the risk of anxiety disorders in diverse depressed patients.

Emotional eating and temperamental traits in Eating Disorders: A dimensional approach

Growing evidence shows that temperamental features and emotional dysregulation are linked to Eating Disorders (EDs). Aim of this study was to explore the possible relationship between temperament and emotional eating (EE) from a dimensional standpoint, and the association of specific temperamental dimensions with overeating triggered by specific emotions. We enrolled 253 women with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. Of those, 189 (74.7%), 73 (28.8%), and 80 (31.6%) reported binge eating, purging, or restrictive behaviors, respectively (the categories are not mutually exclusive). Participants completed the Emotional Eating Scale (EES), the Temperament and Character Inventory, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Higher Persistence scores were found in the Restriction group, while the Binge group reported lower Persistence and higher Novelty Seeking scores. The Purge group showed lower Reward Dependence, Self Directedness and Cooperativeness scores. Patients with Purge also reported lower BMI and higher scores on EDE-Q restriction and eating concern subscales as well as higher scores for all SCL 90-R subscales. Patterns of association between temperamental traits and specific emotions were found in each group. Therefore, some temperamental features could be considered predictors of specific associations between emotions and the tendency to eat.

Are Personality Characteristics as Measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) Associated with Obesity Treatment Outcomes? A Systematic Review.

Some personality traits seem to be associated with obesity, but there is little information available regarding their association with obesity treatment outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was therefore to assess the associations between personality traits-evaluated by means of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI)-and outcomes of obesity treatment, including attrition, weight loss, and weight loss maintenance. The PubMed database was searched, and studies were screened as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and data were collated using a narrative approach. Of the 886 articles retrieved, 9 studies assessing personality traits by means of the TCI in participants with obesity met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. This approach revealed three main findings: (i) only one study found that attrition rate-during a 6-month behavioral weight loss program-is predicted by low reward dependence scores at baseline; (ii) two studies found that lower novelty-seeking and higher self-directedness scores at baseline positively predict short-term weight-loss magnitude; and (iii) four studies found that higher persistence and lower novelty-seeking scores at baseline predicted weight maintenance at 12 and 24months. Novelty-seeking and self-directedness traits appear to be predictors of short-term weight loss (≤ 6months), and persistence and novelty-seeking traits may be related to long-term weight loss maintenance (≥ 12months), although great uncertainty still exists regarding predictors of attrition.

The Association Between Temperament and Microbiota in Healthy Individuals: A Pilot Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether enterotypes in the gut microbiome could be determined by clustering validity indexes and whether these enterotypes were associated with individual differences in temperament traits. Sixty healthy Korean participants (21 men; 27.5 [8.1] years, 39 women; 34.5 [14.3] years) were asked to answer 60 temperament questions (novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, and persistence) from the Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory-125. The participants' stool samples were submitted, and relative operational taxonomic units were calculated using 16S rRNA gene-based microarrays. Differences between sexes and age-related effects on the temperament and operational taxonomic unit abundances were determined, and optimal clustering numbers related to enterotypes were examined using connectivity and silhouette width (SW) indexes. Finally, the differences in temperament between enterotypes were examined. There was no significant effect of sex or age on gut microbiota and temperament scores. The hierarchical dendrogram, connectivity, and SW analysis indicated bimodal enterotypes. Bacteroidaceae were more abundant in enterotype 1 (46.24%, N = 45), whereas Prevotellaceae were more abundant in enterotype 2 (43.83%, n = 15). Among the four temperament dimensions, novelty seeking and reward dependence scores were higher in enterotype 1 (10.82 [2.99] and 8.07 [2.51] points) than in enterotype 2 (8.87 [2.42] and 5.73 [1.03] points). The results suggest an association between temperament and enterotypes in healthy Korean adults. It is conceivable that this association may develop early in life as a result of biological processes catalyzed by the gut microbiota during infancy.

Association between a functional polymorphism on the dopamine-β-hydroxylase gene and reward dependence in two independent samples

Cloninger's biosocial personality theory postulates a biological basis for the basic temperaments. With respect to reward dependence (RD) characterized by a tendency to sustain rewarding behaviors and to prefer behaviors previously associated with reward, he hypothesized low noradrenaline (NA) levels. Previous endocrine and genetic association studies have supported this hypothesis. The aim of the present study was to test for an association between the functional single nucleotide polymorphism rs1611115 (C-970T) on the dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) gene and RD. DBH is an enzyme crucial for the synthesis of NA by catalyzing the oxidative hydroxylation of dopamine to NA.In two independent samples (N=1144 and N=826) of healthy participants we found significant genotype effects (p≤0.0001 and p≤0.05). Carriers of the C allele had significant higher RD scores than carriers homozygous for the T allele.Although the general RD–NA hypothesis was corroborated, the directionality of the observed effect was antithetical. Based on previous functionality studies reporting low enzymatic activity related to the TT genotype, present results indicate high NA levels in subjects scoring high on RD (in contrast to Cloninger's thesis). Future studies have to analyze how DBH activity and NA levels are dependent on the availability of dopamine.

Ten month outcome of cognitive behavioural therapy v. interpersonal psychotherapy in patients with major depression: a randomised trial of acute and maintenance psychotherapy.

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) are the most studied psychotherapies for treatment of depression, but they are rarely directly compared particularly over the longer term. This study compares the outcomes of patients treated with CBT and IPT over 10 months and tests whether there are differential or general predictors of outcome. A single centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) of depressed outpatients treated with weekly CBT or IPT sessions for 16 weeks and then 24 weeks of maintenance CBT or IPT. The principle outcome was depression severity measured using the MADRS. Pre-specified predictors of response were in four domains: demographic depression, characteristics, comorbidity and personality. Data were analysed over 16 weeks and 40 weeks using general linear mixed effects regression models. CBT was significantly more effective than IPT in reducing depressive symptoms over the 10 month study largely because it appeared to work more quickly. There were no differential predictors of response to CBT v. IPT at 16 weeks or 40 weeks. Personality variables were most strongly associated with overall outcome at both 16 weeks and 40 weeks. The number of personality disorder symptoms and lower self-directness and reward dependence scores were associated with poorer outcome for both CBT and IPT at 40 weeks. CBT and IPT are effective treatments for major depression over the longer term. CBT may work more quickly. Personality variables are the most relevant predictors of outcome.

The Relationship Between Children's Masturbation Behavior and Their Mothers' Temperament and Character Dimensions: A Case-Control Study

Objective: Childhood masturbation (CM) is the self-stimulation of the genitalia by a child with the intention of obtaining pleasure and is frequently associated with physical distress signs and symptoms. In this study, we aimed to examine the temperament and character traits of mothers of a clinical sample of infants and young children, who presented with the complaint of masturbation compared to a control group. Sociodemographic and clinical features of the children in the study group were also assessed. Methods: Fifty two infants and children (36 girls and 16 boys) with a mean age of 4.4±1.7 years exhibiting masturbation and their mothers were included in this study together with a control group consisting of 52 age, gender, and age of mother-matched infants and children. Socio-demographic data and clinical information was obtained through interviews by the researchers and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was completed by the mothers. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows, Version 20.0. Results: The Total Novelty Seeking (NS), Impulsivity subscale (NS2) of Novelty Seeking, Attachment (RD3) subscale of Reward Dependence, and Transpersonal Identification (ST2) subscale of Self-Transcendence scores were significantly higher in the study group; while the Total Self-Directedness and Responsibility subscale of the (SD1) Self-Directedness scores were significantly lower in the mothers of CM compared to control group. According to the logistic regression model, the odds of exhibiting masturbation increased in a child as the scores of Impulsiveness subscale of Novelty Seeking dimension and the Attachment subscale of Reward Dependence scores increased and the scores of Responsibility subscale of Self-Directedness scores were decreased in the mothers of CM group. Conclusions: The findings may indicate a relationship (as a mediator) between problematic childhood masturbation and the temperament and character traits of their mothers, but it should be further studied in large samples.

Sex- and Subtype-Related Differences of Personality Disorders (Axis II) and Personality Traits in Persistent ADHD

Objective: Despite growing awareness of adult ADHD and its comorbidity with personality disorders (PDs), little is known about sex- and subtype-related differences. Method: In all, 910 patients (452 females, 458 males) affected with persistent adult ADHD were assessed for comorbid PDs with the Structured Clinical Interview of DSM-IV and for personality traits with the revised NEO personality inventory, and the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire. Results: The most prevalent PDs were narcissistic PD in males and histrionic PD in females. Affected females showed higher Neuroticism, Openness to Experience, and Agreeableness scores as well as Harm Avoidance and Reward Dependence scores. Narcissistic PD and antisocial PD have the highest prevalence in the H-type, while Borderline PD is more frequent in the C-type. Conclusion: Sex- and subtype-related differences in Axis II disorder comorbidity as well as impairment-modifying personality traits have to be taken into account in epidemiological studies of persistent ADHD.

Temperament and character profiles associated with depression and treatment response in patients with or without comorbid substance abuse.

There is limited knowledge on the relationship between temperament and character profiles and substance abuse comorbidity in depressed patients. We recruited 127 depressed patients without alcohol use problems (non-AUP) and 89 depressed patients with alcohol use problems (AUP). We assessed all patients using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-R) at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. Using univariate general linear models (GLMs), we analyzed differences in TCI-R between AUP and non-AUP. GLMs were also used in analyzing the associations between TCI-R changes and antidepressive treatment responses measured with changes in Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale score (ΔMADRS). Alcohol use explained independently significant proportions of the variation in Novelty Seeking, Self-Directedness, and Persistence. Reward Dependence score change explained 14.1% of the ΔMADRS in AUP, but was non-significant in non-AUP. Character score changes in Self-Directedness and Self-Transcendence explained together 14.1% of ΔMADRS in non-AUP, whereas they were all non-significant in AUP. AUP compared with non-AUP patients had lower Self-Directedness and Persistence and higher Novelty Seeking scores. Detected changes in Reward Dependence and lower Self-Directedness in AUP patients could be reflective of different biological mechanisms associated with depressive symptomatology in alcohol abuse. Changes in character are associated with acute treatment response in non-AUP.

Serum Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids Are Not Associated with Personality Traits in Healthy Japanese Young People

Background: Recent studies have reported that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are associated with mood and behaviors including depression and suicide risk. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between PUFAs and personality traits in healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 279 subjects completed the Temperament and Character Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory. Serum levels of the PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the ω-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA), and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid were measured. Results: Pearson's correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between DHA and cooperativeness scores. In the multiple regression analysis, harm avoidance scores were positively associated with AA, and a negative association was found between the EPA/AA ratio and reward dependence scores. However, these associations were nonsignificant after a Bonferroni correction. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that the blood levels of PUFAs are not likely to be associated with personality traits.

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

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

Association study between reward dependence and a functional BDNF polymorphism in adult women offspring of alcohol-dependent probands.

Thirty-five healthy adult women offspring of alcohol-dependent probands (AWOA) were compared with 63 healthy controls to test whether personality dimensions on the Temperament and Character Inventory questionnaire were associated with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism in offspring. We found a significantly lower reward dependence score in AWOA compared with the controls. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism may be involved in this difference as the lower reward dependence score was found only in AWOA carrying the Val allele.

Temperament and Character Personality Dimensions in Patients with Bipolar Mood Disorder-i

Objectives In the present study, Cloninger's dimensions of temperament and character have been investigated in patients with bipolar mood disorder-I (BMD-I), and obtained results were compared to those of healthy control participants from the general population. Method This cross sectional study investigates 96 patients with BMD-I, selected based on DSM-IV-TR criteria, who are admitted into a psychiatry hospital due to an acute episode of mania, depression or mixed episode in year 2011 in Iran. After stabilization of acute phase, patients completed the 125-item Persian version of Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Seven dimensions of temperament and character were compared between the designated bipolar group and 1212 healthy individuals via independent samples t-test. Moreover, the correlation between age, duration of disorder, and mood variables (depression and mania scores) with temperament and character inventory scores were assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results Bipolar patients showed significantly higher harm avoidance (P=.001) and lower reward dependency (P=.001), persistence (P=.044), cooperativeness (P=.001), self-directedness (P=.001) and self-transcendence (P=.004) in comparison with healthy individuals. In females, Reward Dependency (P=0.001), Self-Directedness (P=0.001) and Cooperativeness (P=0.001) scores were lower. Furthermore, TCI scores had no significant correlation with scores related to depression and mania, duration of the disorder and marital status. Conclusion Personality profile of patients with BMD-I differ from those of healthy individuals. Lower scores on Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness in bipolar patients seem to be related with more immature personality traits.

The role of the harm avoidance personality in depression and anxiety during the medical internship.

To determine whether physicians with harm avoidance (HA) personality traits were more prone to developing increased anxiety and depression during the medical internship.A prospective longitudinal study of 74 medical interns was carried out using repeated measures of symptoms of anxiety and depression with the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories (BAI and BDI) before, at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th months during the internship, and 2 weeks after the internship was completed. Baseline personality was assessed by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire with 3 dimensions: novelty-seeking, HA, and reward dependence (RD).Levels of both depression and anxiety increased (6.4 and 3.4 on scores for BDI and BAI, respectively) during the internship and returned to baseline 2 weeks after it ended. HA scores were significantly correlated with depression and anxiety (0.3 scores on both the BDI and the BAI) and the scores for RD were significantly correlated with anxiety but not with depression. The interaction of HA and point in internship showed no significant differences.Internship plays a major role in the increase in depression and anxiety. A HA personality was also associated with the development of both depression and anxiety.