Role Of Affective Temperaments Research Articles

The role of affective temperaments as a factor of vulnerability to seasonal affective disorder

BackgroundGrowing evidence suggests the relevance of affective temperaments in the development of mood disorders. This study aims to assess their potential role as a vulnerability factor for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and subsyndromal SAD (S-SAD) in a sample of young individuals without a history of clinical diagnosis. MethodsEight hundred and forty-six university students were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Participants were evaluated for exclusion and inclusion criteria and divided into Control, S-SAD, and SAD groups. They filled out two self-administered questionnaires to assess the degree of seasonality problems and the predominant type of affective temperaments, the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), and the Temperament Evaluation Instrument of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Auto-questionnaire version scale (briefTEMPS-M version). We conducted a multinomial logistic regression model to explore the relationship between affective temperaments and seasonality. ResultsOur results evidenced that cyclothymic [χ2 (2) = 33.486, p < 0.001] and anxious [χ2 (2) = 86.991, p < 0.001] temperaments were significant predictors in the model, suggesting that individuals with cyclothymic and anxious temperaments are at increased risk of developing SAD, due to heightened seasonal changes in mood and behavior. In contrast, people with hyperthymic temperament appear less susceptible to experiencing seasonal problems. LimitationsThe homogeneity of the sample; only retrospective self-reported data were considered; measures of temperament and seasonality were simultaneously assessed. ConclusionsUnderstanding which affective temperaments may constitute a potential predisposing factor for vulnerability to seasonal changes can aid in better assessing SAD and predicting its outcome.

Substance use disorders in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: The role of affective temperament

ObjectiveSubstance Use Disorders (SUD) are common in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Although predictors of SUD in this population are relevant for prevention and treatment, they need further clarification. Affective temperaments potentially associated with SUD in adult ADHD patients were explored. MethodsADHD patients with and without SUD were compared for sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics through: Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale; Wender Utah Rating Scale; Temperament Evaluation Memphis for Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire. Logistic regression investigated factors associated with SUD. ResultsWe included one-hundred and thirty-six ADHD patients with (n = 51, 37.5 %) and without SUD (n = 85, 62.5 %). The presence of SUD was associated with irritable temperament (p = 0.009), as well as more frequent school failure (p = 0.038), legal problems (p = 0.039), and lifetime suicide attempts (p = 0.014). LimitationsThe cross-sectional design, the relatively small sample size, and the use of self-administered questionnaires. ConclusionsThis study confirms the greater overall severity of adult ADHD-SUD compared with ADHD-only patients and suggests the potential role of irritable temperament as a predictor of substance-related problems.

The role of affective temperaments in binge watching addiction

BackgroundBinge-watching is a new type of behaviour that has started to gain popularity since 2013 and is defined as “watching multiple episodes of TV series (at least two to six) in a single session”. Binge-watching is a phenomenon that affects the general population up to over 65 years of age, with a trend in the 18–39 age group. It is plausible to think that affective temperament dimensions may have an impact on the excessive use of watching serious TV. The affective temperaments play a significant role on motivated behaviour, impulsivity, and decision-making of binge watching. This behaviour provides instant gratification, leading a person to lose self-control.The aim of the present study is to learn about the possible role of affective temperaments on motivated behaviour, impulsivity, and decision-making of binge watching in the general Italian population. MethodsThe sample consisted of 1,701 subject belonging Italian population. Data were collected by an online survey including the Binge-Watching Addiction Questionnaire (BWAQ) and the short form of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS-A) questionnaire. A multivariate regression analysis, in which the BWAQ variables (Anticipation, Avoidance, Craving, Dependency) were considered dependent variables and all the TEMPS-A factors were included in the equation, was performed to assess what kind of temperamental dimension could play the role of specific predictor towards the different aspects of binge watching. ResultsAnxious and cyclothymic temperaments are highly significant. The factors that have a weaker impact on the dependent variables (significance at the 5 % level) are depressive and hyperthymic temperaments on the craving and avoidance dimensions, respectively. The irritable temperament is significant at the 5 % level for the models associated with the avoidance and dependency dimensions. ConclusionIn summary, the results of multivariate regression analysis show that subjects with anxious and cyclothymic temperaments have a higher risk of engaging in binge-watching behaviour. It is important to obtain further knowledge on the psychological consequences of this phenomenon for future diagnosis, prevention and therapeutic implementations.

The role of affective temperaments in self-care and medication adherence among individuals with bipolar disorder: a moderation analysis.

Affective temperament, defined as the fundamental predisposition from which normal affective states originate or as the constitutional core of personality, play a crucial role in mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorders. Understanding the relationship between temperaments, treatment adherence, and self-care is crucial for effective management and improved clinical results. This study aims to (1) assess the correlation between affective temperaments and treatment adherence, (2) investigate the relationship between affective temperaments and self-care abilities, (3) identify predictors of treatment adherence, and (4) explore the moderating effect of self-care on the relationship between treatment adherence and depressive temperament in individuals with bipolar disorder. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 231 individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) type I (N=160) and type II (N=71). The participants were evaluated using the following psychometric tools: Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, and San Diego (TEMPS) to assess affective temperaments, Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) to evaluate social functioning and self-care abilities, and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) to measure treatment adherence. The study involved statistical analyses to examine correlations, identify predictors, and explore moderating effects. The findings revealed significant correlations between affective temperaments and both treatment adherence and self-care abilities. Specifically, hyperthymic temperament was positively associated with higher treatment adherence, whereas cyclothymic and depressive temperaments were linked to lower adherence. Self-care abilities were found to mediate the relationship between depressive temperament and treatment adherence, suggesting that improved self-care can enhance adherence in individuals with depressive temperament. Affective temperaments significantly influence treatment adherence and self-care abilities in individuals with bipolar disorder. The mediating role of self-care highlights the importance of developing targeted interventions to improve self-care practices, thereby enhancing treatment adherence and overall well-being. Personalized treatment strategies based on temperament assessments could lead to better clinical outcomes and quality of life for individuals with bipolar disorder.

Job satisfaction in the health professions: The role of affective temperaments.

Job satisfaction, as a multidimensional psychological response to work experience, includes both cognitive and affective components which influence individuals' appraisals and state of minds. In recent years, researchers have begun to explore the psychological processes that might underlie the dispositional causes of job satisfaction. Affective temperaments can influence the experience of emotionally significant events at work and this, in turn, may influence job satisfaction. To investigate possible associations between affective temperamental features and job satisfaction in the health professions. The sample consisted of 294 subjects selected among health professionals. Data were collected by an online survey including the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) questionnaire and the short form of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS-A) questionnaire. Hyperthymic, depressive, irritable and anxious temperaments predicted the risk of experiencing job dissatisfaction in healthcare professionals. No associations between cyclothymic temperament and job satisfaction were found. The identification of affective temperamental assets and liabilities is potentially useful in the development of supportive and psycho-educational strategies, aimed at preventing work-related stress and promoting mental health in workplaces, also reducing the risk of job dissatisfaction.

The Role of Affective Temperaments in Bipolar Disorder: The Solid Role of the Cyclothymic, the Contentious Role of the Hyperthymic, and the Neglected Role of the Irritable Temperaments.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of individual affective temperaments as clinical predictors of bipolarity in the clinical setting. The affective temperaments of 1723 consecutive adult outpatients presenting for various symptoms to a university-based mental health clinical setting were assessed. Patients were administered the Hypomania Checklist-32 and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego - Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) and were diagnosed by psychiatrists according to the DSM-5 criteria. TEMPS-A scores were studied as both continuous and normalized categorical z-scores from a previously established nationwide study on the general population of Lebanon. Simple and multiple binary logistic regressions were done on patients who have any of the DSM-5 defined bipolar types, as a combined group or separately, versus patients without any bipolar diagnosis. At the multivariable level and taking into account all temperaments, the irritable temperament is a consistent predictor of bipolar I and bipolar II disorders. Cyclothymic temperament also played a strong role in bipolarity but more decisively so in bipolar II and substance-induced bipolarity. The hyperthymic temperament had no role in bipolar I or bipolar II disorder.

Emotion Dysregulation and Affective Temperaments in Opioid Use Disorder: the preliminary results of a prospective study

Background Substance use disorder is a growing health problem all over the world. The coexistence of substance misuse, affective temperaments, and emotion dysregulation has not been studied sufficiently. Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the role of affective temperaments and emotion dysregulation on substance use disorder. The Emotion Dysregulation and Affective Temperaments in Opioid Use Disorder study was designed observational. This paper presents only the baseline assessments of the patient and control groups. One-year remission rates of the patients’ group will be reported elsewhere after 1-year follow-up. Methods Sixty-seven patients with opioid use disorder and 68 healthy controls enrolled. All participants were administered to The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5, Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, San Diego Autoquestionnaire, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory. Results Patients with opioid use disorder had higher scores from all temperamental scales and showed higher difficulties on emotion regulation than the control group. Even controlling the confounding effects of anxiety and depression levels, dysthymic and anxious temperament scores were found correlated with the emotion dysregulation score in the patient group. Conclusions The emotional traits (i.e., affective temperaments) and emotion regulation abilities play a crucial role in substance use disorder. While managing substance use disorder, being aware of affective temperament characteristics and/or interventions to improve emotion regulation skills may be helpful.

Food addiction in the overweight – the role of affective temperaments and eating behaviours

Food addiction in the overweight – the role of affective temperaments and eating behaviours

Contributions of Affective Temperament Traits to Professional Choice: Evidence from the Study of Firefighters, Musicians, Athletes, Bank Managers, Nurses and Paramedics.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to expand knowledge about the relationship between temperament and choice of profession by comparing temperaments among representatives of various professional groups.Subjects and MethodsA total of 759 subjects aged 18–71, representatives of six professional groups: firefighters, musicians, athletes, bank managers, nurses and paramedics, were included in the study. Temperament was assessed using the TEMPS-A autoquestionnaire.ResultsMusicians showed higher levels of depressive and anxious temperaments whereas firefighters were lower on cyclothymic dimension. Athletes, bank managers and paramedics showed higher intensity of hyperthymic temperament compared to firefighters, musicians and nurses. Athletes showed lower of depressive temperament compared to bankers, musicians and nurses. Bankers obtained lower results of irritable temperament compared to musicians, athletes and nurses. Nurses showed a higher intensity of anxious temperament compared to firefighters, athletes and paramedics.ConclusionThe results obtained support the concept of adaptive and socially useful role of affective temperaments. The studied professional groups show different individual temperamental profiles, which is justified in such aspects of the profession, as the level of stimulation, stress encountered, the necessity of making important decisions, or entering into relationship with the patient.

The role of affective temperaments in predicting symptom severity in bipolar disorder

IntroductionBipolar disorder (BD) is one of the most burdensome psychiatric illnesses, being associated with a negative long-term outcome and high suicide rate. Although affective temperaments are considered possible mediators of outcome, their role on the course and outcome of BD remains poorly studied.ObjectivesThe aims of the present study are to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with BD more frequently associated with the different affective temperaments and to verify which affective temperaments are associated with a more severe clinical picture in a sample of patients with BD.MethodsAll patients with BD referring to the outpatient units of two Italian university sites have been recruited. Patients’ psychiatric symptoms, affective temperaments, and quality of life were investigated through validated assessment instruments.Results199 patients were recruited. 54.8% of patients had a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder. 56.8% of the sample reported at least one episode of aggressive behaviours and 30.2% of suicidal attempt. Predominant cyclothymic and irritable temperaments predicted more frequent relapses, a poorer quality of life (p&lt;;0.05), more aggressive behaviours and suicide attempts (p&lt;;0.01). The predominant hyperthymic disposition was a protective factor for several outcome measures, including relapses and suicidality (p&lt;;0.01), and was correlated with a less severity of psychiatric symptoms and later age at onset (p&lt;;0.05).ConclusionsEarly identification of affective temperaments in BD patients can help clinicians to identify those who could show a worse prognosis. A screening of affective temperaments can be useful to develop early targeted integrated pharmacological and psychosocial interventions.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Affective Temperaments, Panic Disorder and Their Bipolar Connections.

Background and Objectives: The role of affective temperament in the genesis and outcome of major mood disorders is well studied, but there are only a few reports on the relationship between panic disorder (PD) and affective temperaments. Accordingly, we aimed to study the distribution of affective temperaments (depressive (DE); cyclothymic (CT); irritable (IRR); hyperthymic (HT) and anxious (ANX)) among outpatients with PD. Materials and Methods: Affective temperaments of 118 PD outpatients (80 females and 38 males) with or without agoraphobia but without any other psychiatric disorder at the time of inclusion were evaluated using the Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) and compared with the affective temperament scores of control subjects. All patients were followed up for at least 1.5 years in order to detect the onset of any major affective disorders, substance use disorders and suicide attempts. Results: Among females, the dominant ANX and DE temperaments were four and three times as common as in a large normative Hungarian sample (for both cases p < 0.01). Among male PD patients, only the dominant DE temperament was slightly overrepresented in a non-significant manner. Females with PD obtained significantly higher scores on ANX, DE and CT subscales of the TEMPS-A, whereas males with PD showed significantly higher scores on ANX, DE and HT temperament subscales compared with the members of a large normative Hungarian sample and also with a gender- and age-matched control group. During the follow-up, newly developed unipolar major depression and bipolar spectrum (bipolar I or II and cyclothymic) disorders appeared in 64% and 22% of subjects, respectively. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest that a specific, ANX-DE-CT affective temperament profile is characteristic primarily for female patients, and an ANX-DE-HT affective temperament profile is characteristic for male patients with PD, respectively. These findings are in line with expectations because PD is an anxiety disorder par excellence on the one hand, whereas, on the other hand, it is quite frequently comorbid with mood (including bipolar) disorders.

The Role of Affective Temperament and Character Traits in Predicting Suicidality in Depressed Patients

espanolEl objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la relacion de los temperamentos afectivos y los rasgos de personalidad con los intentos de suicidio en pacientes que sufren depresion. Un total de 251 pacientes diagnosticados de trastorno depresivo recurrente o episodio de depresion mayor se dividio en dos grupos, uno con intentos de suicidio previos (n = 168) y otro sin estas tentativas (n = 83), a los que se aplico un cuestionario sociodemografico, TEMPS-A, y un cuestionario de personalidad, VP+2-70. En todos los temperamentos que no eran los hipertimicos las puntuaciones mas altas se dieron predominantemente en el grupo de pacientes con tentativas de suicidio previas. El modelo que incluye temperamentos afectivos y rasgos de personalidad clasifico adecuadamente al 72.5% de los casos. Solo el temperamento depresivo aparecio como predictor positivo significativo con valencia negativa cercana a la significacion estadistica. El diseno transversal limita nuestra capacidad para sacar conclusiones sobre la causalidad ademas de que no se controlo el estado afectivo actual de los pacientes. Sin embargo, los resultados destacan aun mas la importancia del temperamento afectivo como herramienta de deteccion del riesgo de suicidio en pacientes deprimidos. EnglishThe purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of affective temperaments and personality traits with suicide attempts in patients suffering from depression. A total of 251 patients diagnosed with recurrent depressive disorder or major depression episode were divided in groups with previous suicide attempts (n = 168) and without such attempts (n = 83) and given a sociodemographic questionnaire, TEMPS-A, and a personality questionnaire, VP+2-70. In all temperaments other than hyperthymic, higher scores were predominant in the group of patients with previous suicide attempts. The model including affective temperaments and personality traits successfully classified 72.5% of cases. Only depressive temperament was found to be a significant positive predictor with negative valence close to statistical significance. The cross-sectional design limits our ability to draw conclusions about causality and current affective status of the patients was not controlled for. However, our findings further prove the importance of affective temperament as a screening tool for suicide risk in depressed patients.

The relationship between impulsivity and panic disorder-agoraphobia: The role of affective temperament

There are opinions regarding that impulsivity may play a role in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between impulsivity and panic disorder (PD) in the patient group, to compare impulsivity and affective temperamental traits between patients and healthy controls and to investigate whether there is a relationship between impulsivity and affective temperamental traits. Participants comprised 70 patients with PD and 58 healthy volunteers. The Panic Agoraphobia Scale (PAS), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) were applied. Patients have significantly higher scores in affective temperament (except hyperthymic) and attentional impulsiveness subscales than the healthy controls. Positive and negative correlations were found between some PAS and BIS-11 scores as well as correlations between especially cyclothymic, hyperthymic, irritable and anxious subscale scores of the TEMPS-A and the BIS-11 scores in the patient group. The results of this study indicate a relationship between impulsivity and PD. The correlations found between affective temperament dimensions and impulsivity suggest how affective temperamental traits may influence different impulsivity dimensions.

The role of affective temperaments and chronotype in pharmacotherapy response in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

BACKGROUND: Comorbid mood disorders affect the prognosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) negatively. Affective temperaments are assumed to be subsyndromal symptoms and precursors of mood dis...

The role of affective temperament as a predictor of relapse in alcohol dependence.

Personality traits have been proposed as relapse risk factors in alcohol use disorders. So far, no study has assessed the association between affective temperamental traits and the prospective relapse risk. This was a 3-month prospective naturalistic study, designed to assess the impact of affective temperaments in relapse. A sample of 61 alcohol-dependent patients was collected from an ambulatory clinical setting. Socio-demographic information, drinking and substance use habits, drinking status, craving and affective temperament traits were assessed. Age, age of onset of alcohol abuse and dependence and drug consumption correlate with drinking status. Male alcohol-dependent patients who relapsed presented higher scores on cyclothymic temperament than patients with an alcohol dependence diagnosis who remain sober. Hierarchical logistic regression indicates that cyclothymic temperament predicted relapse in a 3-month follow-up. However, the coefficient was marginally significant after controlling for all potential confounding predictors. Our results provide new insights about the role of affective temperaments in alcohol use disorders, specifically in predicting short-term relapse in detoxified male alcohol-dependent patients. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Depressive symptoms and the role of affective temperament in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A comparison with bipolar disorder

ObjectivesTo investigate the characteristics of depressive symptoms and the influence of affective temperament in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in comparison with bipolar disorder (BD) patients and healthy controls (HCs). MethodSixty patients with ADHD, 50 patients with BD, and 30 HCs were assessed with instruments for measuring depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II), and affective temperaments (Temperament Scale of Memphis, Pisa and San Diego, self-administered version; TEMPS-A). In addition, participants were evaluated with scales for measuring ADHD symptoms, impulsiveness, anxiety, executive dysfunction, and quality of life. ResultsADHD patients showed levels of depressive symptoms similar to BD patients and higher than HCs. Only neurovegetative symptoms of depression differentiated ADHD and BD groups (BD > ADHD). Depressive symptoms in ADHD patients correlated positively with core ADHD, impulsivity, anxiety, and dysexecutive symptoms and negatively with quality of life. Thirty-eight percent of patients with ADHD scored above the cutoff for at least one affective temperament. Cyclothymic was the more common affective temperament (25%). ADHD patients with affective temperamental traits were more depressed and impulsive than patients without those traits and showed a symptomatic profile analogous to BD patients. LimitationsThe small size of resultant samples when ADHD group was stratified by the presence of affective temperament. In addition, results may not generalize to less severe ADHD patients from the community. ConclusionsConcomitant depressive symptoms constitute a common occurrence in adults with ADHD that carries significant psychopathological and functional consequences. The concept of affective temperaments may be an interesting link for explaining depressive symptomatology and emotional impulsivity in a subgroup of patients with ADHD, beyond the classic idea of comorbidity.

Uric acid levels may be a biological marker for the differentiation of unipolar and bipolar disorder: The role of affective temperament

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate whether uric acid levels are different between patients with remission period of bipolar disorder type I (BD) and patients with remission period of major depressive disorder (MDD). MethodsFor this aim 41 patients diagnosed with BD and 30 patients diagnosed with recurrent MDD according to DSM-IV who were in remission period for at least 8 weeks were evaluated consecutively. The median age and gender distribution of the two groups were similar. Subjects with comorbid psychiatric diagnosis and/or severe medical illnesses were excluded. Affective temperament was evaluated with TEMPS-A (Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire). Plasma uric acid levels were recorded in mg/dl. ResultsThe uric acid levels of BD patients were found higher than patients with MDD and healthy controls. Additionally uric acid levels of MDD patients were lower than patients with BD and healthy subjects (F=4.183, p=0.039). A moderate correlation between hyperthymic and irritable temperament scores and uric acid levels was detected in both patient groups and in healthy controls. A negative correlation was observed between depressive temperament and uric acid levels only in MDD group. LimitationsThe measurements of temperament were estimated depending on the patient׳s statement. The medications that patients used were not controlled. ConclusionThere is a purinergic dysfunction not only in BD but also in MDD patients. High uric acid levels are associated with hyperthymic and irritable temperament scores whereas low uric acid levels are associated with depressive temperament scores.

The role of affective temperaments in metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes

In non-diabetic populations, anxious and depressive affective temperaments are associated with stress and distress disorders (anxious and depressive). In type 2 diabetes, distress with diabetes and distress disorders have been associated with metabolic control. There are few studies undertaken on temperament and metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of our study was to examine the independent association between affective temperaments and metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The sample included 90 patients with type 2 diabetes from two outpatient clinics aged 53.54 (SD ± 8.05) years and with 66.7% female gender. Depression was evaluated by using the MADRS observer rating scale (mean value: 16.38 ± 11). Patients with excessive depressive and anxious temperaments had more depressive symptoms, worse psychological adjustment to diabetes and worse metabolic control. In logistic regression (crude model), only depressive temperament was independently associated with metabolic control. Affective temperaments are associated with psychological adjustment to diabetes and metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients above threshold on depressive temperament should be considered for greater scrutiny and psycho-education by the diabetes clinic staff.

Association of depressive phenotype with affective family history is mediated by affective temperaments

Increasing data support an association of cyclothymic temperament with bipolarity, but our knowledge about the relationship of affective temperaments (ATs) to depressive symptoms based on inheritance in a non-clinical population is limited. The aim of this article was to demonstrate how ATs and affective family history relate to the depressive symptoms in a general population. Subjects comprised 501 Hungarian adults who completed a background questionnaire, the TEMPS-A, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) and the depression subscale of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-D). Stepwise linear regression was performed to analyse the role of ATs and affective family history (AFH 0 and AFH 1) in the variance of ZSDS and BSI-D scores. Cyclothymic, depressive and anxious temperaments have a significant role in the explained variance of depression scores, and they are all significantly related to AFH 1. Significant differences were found between AFH 1 and AFH 0 groups in ZSDS and BSI-D scores, and these effects were eliminated if ATs were entered as covariates. The probability of having any dominant temperament was more than two-fold in group AFH 1 compared with AFH 0 (OR = 2.33). Our results suggest that a crucial part of inherited factors of depression is mediated by affective temperaments.

P.1.a.024 The s allele of the 5-HTTLPR: a possible genetic correlate of traits associated with neuroticism

Increasing data support an association of cyclothymic temperament with bipolarity, but our knowledge about the relationship of affective temperaments (ATs) to depressive symptoms based on inheritance in a non-clinical population is limited. The aim of this article was to demonstrate how ATs and affective family history relate to the depressive symptoms in a general population. Subjects comprised 501 Hungarian adults who completed a background questionnaire, the TEMPS-A, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) and the depression subscale of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-D). Stepwise linear regression was performed to analyse the role of ATs and affective family history (AFH0 and AFH1) in the variance of ZSDS and BSI-D scores. Cyclothymic, depressive and anxious temperaments have a significant role in the explained variance of depression scores, and they are all significantly related to AFH1. Significant differences were found between AFH1 and AFH0 groups in ZSDS and BSI-D scores, and these effects were eliminated if ATs were entered as covariates. The probability of having any dominant temperament was more than two-fold in group AFH1 compared with AFH0 (OR = 2.33). Our results suggest that a crucial part of inherited factors of depression is mediated by affective temperaments.