Self-report Personality Questionnaires Research Articles

Using the multidimensional nominal response model to model faking in questionnaire data: The importance of item desirability characteristics.

Faking in self-report personality questionnaires describes a deliberate response distortion aimed at presenting oneself in an overly favorable manner. Unless the influence of faking on item responses is taken into account, faking can harm multiple psychometric properties of a test. In the present article, we account for faking using an extension of the multidimensional nominal response model (MNRM), which is an item response theory (IRT) model that offers a flexible framework for modeling different kinds of response biases. Particularly, we investigated under which circumstances the MNRM can adequately adjust substantive trait scores and latent correlations for the influence of faking and examined the role of variation in the way item content is related to social desirability (i.e., item desirability characteristics) in facilitating the modeling of faking and counteracting its detrimental effects. Using a simulation, we found that the inclusion of a faking dimension in the model can overall improve the recovery of substantive trait person parameters and latent correlations between substantive traits, especially when the impact of faking in the data is high. Item desirability characteristics moderated the effect of modeling faking and were themselves associated with different levels of parameter recovery. In an empirical demonstration with N = 1070 test-takers, we also showed that the faking modeling approach in combination with different item desirability characteristics can prove successful in empirical questionnaire data. We end the article with a discussion of implications for psychological assessment.

Who are the skilled therapists? Associations between personal characteristics and interpersonal skills of future psychotherapists

ABSTRACT Objective Facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) are a promising variable to explain the so-called therapist effect. We aimed to investigate associations between observer-rated interpersonal skills and self-reported personal characteristics of future therapists. Method In this cross-sectional observational study, psychology students and trainee therapists completed self-report personality and sociodemographic questionnaires as well as the FIS Performance Task (German version, observer-rated). Mixed multilevel model analysis was conducted with FIS total mean score (mean value of 312 individual ratings [13 video-clips, 8 FIS-items, 3 raters]) as dependent variable, therapist ID and FIS clip ID as random effects and 15 therapist variables as fixed effects. Results In the present sample consisting of 177 participants (age: M = 29.8 years (SD = 7.3), [18,59]; 79.1% female, 20.9% male) greater therapists’ experience level, male gender and lower levels of alexithymia were predictive for higher FIS score when statistically controlling for other therapist variables in the model. Age, self-reported childhood maltreatment, attachment style, emotion regulation and self-concept variables turned out to be unrelated. Conclusion The results can inform psychotherapy training programs. They specifically support the importance of addressing therapists’ potential difficulties in recognizing and verbalizing emotions. This is in line with theoretical literature on alliance ruptures and premises of the Alliance-focused training.

Trajectories and Personality Predictors of Eating-Pathology Development in Girls From Preadolescence to Adulthood

Understanding eating-pathology development may enable meaningful prescriptions for its prevention. Here, we identified common trajectories of eating-pathology development and the personality factors associated with these trajectories. Participants were 760 female twins from the Minnesota Twin Family Study who reported on eating pathology at approximate ages 11, 14, 18, 20, 24, and 29. Parents reported on twins’ personality characteristics at age 11, and twins completed self-report personality questionnaires at ages 14 and 18. Latent class growth analysis identified two distinct trajectories for total eating pathology, binge eating, and weight preoccupation and three distinct trajectories for body dissatisfaction. Girls with more pathological trajectories already showed elevated eating pathology at age 11. These subgroups of high-risk girls self-reported greater proneness to anxiety, stress, and alienation, and less sociable personality styles. Prevention efforts may be enhanced by using self-reported personality traits to identify girls at high risk for eating pathology.

Culture and individualistic self-construal moderate the relationships between childhood experiences and narcissistic personality psychopathology level in adulthood

Positive and adverse childhood experiences have a central role in the development of narcissistic personality psychopathology, and environmental and cultural factors interact in the shaping of personality psychopathology. A total of 805 participants from Turkey (n = 505) and Japan (n = 300) were recruited to assess whether culture and individualistic self-construal moderate the relationship between childhood experiences and narcissistic psychopathology, using the double moderation model. The Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) Scale and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Scale were used to assess childhood experiences, the Self-Construal Scale (SCS) was used to assess individualistic self-construal, and narcissistic psychopathology was assessed using the Self-report Personality Questionnaire of the DSM-5 (SCID-5-SPQ). We found that narcissistic traits were more pronounced with low levels of positive childhood experiences, particularly in the Turkish sample and among those with high levels of individualistic self-construal. Also, narcissistic traits were more pronounced with high levels of adverse childhood experiences in both countries, particularly among those with high levels of individualistic self-construal. These results point to the importance of the role of societal and individual level cultural orientation in the relationship between childhood experiences and personality psychopathology.

The musician’s personality: Do personality traits vary according to ensemble membership?

Despite many decades’ worth of investigations into associations between music and personality, the empirical findings are quite scant and scattered. Perhaps, this is because musicians are a diverse group of people, with far-reaching musical interests and wide-ranging personalities. Little research, however, has investigated whether musicians’ choice of musical genre bears a relationship to their personalities. In this study, we explore the limited literature on the relationship between music ensemble membership and personality by investigating personality differences between jazz and classical ensemble musicians on the Big Five personality dimensions. Musicians ( N = 221) were recruited from college music ensembles, an introductory psychology course, a Facebook page, and Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory (BFI), a validated self-report personality questionnaire, and analyses were conducted to compare the scores of jazz musicians to the scores of classical musicians. Significant differences emerged between jazz and classical musicians’ personalities, with gender playing a mediating role. These results may be beneficial for music educators and directors, as knowledge that specific personality traits predict music ensemble membership may help guide instruction techniques, communication, understanding between musicians of different musical genres, and general cooperation between music educators/directors and their ensembles.

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Self-report Personality Questionnaire for Personality Disorders of DSM-5 (SCID-5-SPQ) in Clinical Samples

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Self-Report Personality Questionnaire of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5-SPQ) in Iranian clinical samples. Methods: This is a descriptive survey study. Participants were 289 outpatients and inpatients referred to Iran Psychiatric Hospital, Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital and the clinic of Tehran Institute of Psychiatry who were selected using a convenience sampling method. In addition to a demographic form and the Persian version of SCID-5-SPQ, the Persian version of SCID-5 Personality Disorder (SCID-5-PD) was used. Finally, face validity, internal consistency (by Cronbach’s alpha), convergent validity (by Spearman correlation test) and the differences between self-reports of women and men (by Mann-Whitney U test) were evaluated. Results: The Persian SCID-5-SPQ showed good face validity. Regarding the convergent validity, all subscales of this questionnaire showed a significant positive correlation with the SCID-5-PD (P<0.001). Moreover, Cronbach’s alpha was reported α=0.93, indicating good internal consistency. Conclusion: The Persian version of SCID-5-SPQ has good validity and reliability, and can be used alone or along with the interviews in psychiatric clinics and hospitals in Iran for screening personality disorders.

Swedish Universities Scales of Personality: Relation to Other Personality Instruments.

ObjectiveTo investigate associations between Swedish universities Scales of Personality (SSP) and scales of the following personality instruments: Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R axis II screening questionnaire (SCID-II screen), revised NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI-R), revised Chapman scales (Chapman) and the psychotic traits questionnaire (STQ). MethodsHealthy individuals (n=406) completed self-report personality questionnaires including SSP and at least one more personality inventory. Correlations were calculated between the 13 different SSP subscales as well as SSP’s three factors and factors and scales/subscales in SCID-II screen, NEO-PI-R, Chapman and STQ. The main factors of the various instruments were factor analysed. ICC were calculated. ResultsSSP Neuroticism factor correlated with SCID-II cluster C (r=0.71), NEO Neuroticism (r=0.80) and Chapman Social anhedonia (r=0.62). SSP Extraversion factor correlated with NEO Extraversion (r=0.63) and SSP Aggressiveness factor with NEO Agreeableness (r=-0.62). Strong correlations between SSP factors and scales and scales of the other instruments were sparse, although weaker correlations were common. ConclusionSSP is a useful investigation tool when measuring personality traits related to temperament-like features. SSP partly correlates well to especially three of the NEO-PI-R factors. The different personality inventories are not completely comparable to each other. Instead, they measure personality aspects in partly different ways.

On the relationship between explicit and implicit self-concept of extraversion and neuroticism

Indirect methods such as the implicit association test (IAT) could complement traditional self-report questionnaires of personality traits. However, it is unclear whether IAT scores and self-report scores of nominally the same personality trait measure the same construct or overlapping but distinct constructs. To investigate how IAT and self-report personality scores relate to each other, we conducted a web-based data collection where participants completed self-report personality questionnaires (n = 432) and IATs for extraversion (n = 393) and neuroticism (n = 385). We found that extraversion self-report and IAT scores were more strongly correlated with each other than corresponding neuroticism scores. Overall, our findings suggest that although extraversion and neuroticism self-report and implicit measures are related, they do measure distinct constructs.

Associations between self-rated personality traits and automobile fatality rates across small geographic areas

We explore how variation in fatal automobile crashes across small geographic areas is associated with geographic variation in self-rated psychological and behavioral characteristics. Specifically, estimates of ZIP-code-level automobile fatality rates were linked to a separate dataset comprising 2.8 million responses to a widely used self-report personality questionnaire. To control for an area's wealth and population density, associations were estimated at the slightly larger level of US Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs). Relationships were estimated using an intraclass adjustment method, where the estimated correlation between individual scores and ZCTA-level fatality rates was divided by the square root of the estimated within-ZCTA intraclass correlation. Further, the ZCTA-level correlation was estimated separately for each US state to examine the consistency of associations. Rates of fatal crash involvement tended to be higher in areas where respondents were more likely to describe themselves as being depressed, moody, and quarrelsome. Some relationships were less intuitive; for instance, rates of fatal crash involvement tended to be higher in areas where respondents described themselves as more helpful and as less easily distracted. However, many small-area-level associations between self-rated personality and fatality rates were found to be in the same direction across more states than expected by chance. This pattern indicates that even many of the less intuitive associations were often highly reliable and general, which has implications for identifying geographic areas with heightened automobile fatality risk.

The double negative: Personality differentially predicts sensitivity to need support and thwarting, and subsequent behavioural response planning

Research extending self-determination theory (SDT) recognises that individual differences alter responses to basic psychological need thwarting or supportive environments. Here, two underlying pathways were proposed and tested, namely whether personality alters: (i) sensitivity to support or thwarting, and/or (ii) more or less adaptive responses to experienced satisfaction or frustration. We also examined whether the influence of personality was stronger as conditions became more unfavourable. The model was tested then replicated, in two different populations.Undergraduate students (N = 177; Mage = 19.63) and retired older adults (N = 117; Mage = 66.28) completed self-report personality questionnaires and responded to a series of SDT-informed vignettes tailored to, and standardised within, each sample context.In both samples hypothesised associations supported both a sensitivity and response pathway. Extraversion and conscientiousness positively predicted adaptive responses, and extraversion and openness (negatively) and neuroticism (positively) maladaptive responses. Moderated regressions provided some evidence that the influence of personality was stronger when more need frustration was experienced (i.e., when conditions were more unfavourable).These findings have important implications for interventions promoting psychological health; targeted rather than universal approaches are required to identify and support those with trait-linked vulnerabilities to perceiving environments as less favourable.

Introducing Machine Learning to Detect Personality Faking-Good in a Male Sample: A New Model Based on Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form Scales and Reaction Times.

Background and Purpose. The use of machine learning (ML) models in the detection of malingering has yielded encouraging results, showing promising accuracy levels. We investigated the possible application of this methodology when trained on behavioral features, such as response time (RT) and time pressure, to identify faking behavior in self-report personality questionnaires. To do so, we reintroduced the article of Roma et al. (2018), which highlighted that RTs and time pressure are useful variables in the detection of faking; we then extended the number of participants and applied an ML analysis. Materials and Methods. The sample was composed of 175 subjects, of whom all were graduates (having completed at least 17 years of instruction), male, and Caucasian. Subjects were randomly assigned to four groups: honest speeded, faking-good speeded, honest unspeeded, and faking-good unspeeded. A software version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) was administered. Results. Results indicated that ML algorithms reached very high accuracies (around 95%) in detecting malingerers when subjects are instructed to respond under time pressure. The classifiers’ performance was lower when the subjects responded with no time restriction to the MMPI-2-RF items, with accuracies ranging from 75% to 85%. Further analysis demonstrated that T-scores of validity scales are ineffective to detect fakers when participants were not under temporal pressure (accuracies 55–65%), whereas temporal features resulted to be more useful (accuracies 70–75%). By contrast, temporal features and T-scores of validity scales are equally effective in detecting fakers when subjects are under time pressure (accuracies higher than 90%). Discussion. To conclude, results demonstrated that ML techniques are extremely valuable and reach high performance in detecting fakers in self-report personality questionnaires over more the traditional psychometric techniques. Validity scales MMPI-2-RF manual criteria are very poor in identifying under-reported profiles. Moreover, temporal measures are useful tools in distinguishing honest from dishonest responders, especially in a no time pressure condition. Indeed, time pressure brings out malingerers in clearer way than does no time pressure condition.

The Psychometric Properties of the German Language Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory-Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ)

Abstract. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of a German translation of the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ; Corr & Cooper, 2016 ). Five hundred twenty-seven participants completed the German version of the RST-PQ, in addition to a battery of related self-report personality questionnaires. A six-factor structure, with two unitary defensive factors, fight-flight-freeze system (FFFS; related to fear) and the behavioral inhibition system (BIS; related to anxiety), and four behavioral approach system (BAS) factors (Reward Interest, Goal-Drive Persistence, Reward Reactivity, and Impulsivity), was supported by confirmatory factor analysis, confirming the English language version of the RST-PQ. Convergent and discriminant validity for the six-factor structure was demonstrated in relation to existing personality scales. Results showed that the German version of the RST-PQ is a reliable and valid self-report measure of the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (rRST) of personality. This version of the RST-PQ is offered to facilitate work on approach-avoidance theories of personality using German language samples.

Most of the genetic covariation between major depressive and alcohol use disorders is explained by trait measures of negative emotionality and behavioral control.

Mental health disorders commonly co-occur, even between conceptually distinct syndromes, such as internalizing and externalizing disorders. The current study investigated whether phenotypic, genetic, and environmental variance in negative emotionality and behavioral control account for the covariation between major depressive disorder (MDD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). A total of 3623 members of a national twin registry were administered structured diagnostic telephone interviews that included assessments of lifetime histories of MDD and AUD, and were mailed self-report personality questionnaires that assessed stress reactivity (SR) and behavioral control (CON). A series of biometric models were fitted to partition the proportion of covariance between MDD and AUD into SR and CON. A statistically significant proportion of the correlation between MDD and AUD was due to variance specific to SR (men = 0.31, women = 0.27) and CON (men = 0.20, women = 0.19). Further, genetic factors explained a large proportion of this correlation (0.63), with unique environmental factors explaining the rest. SR explained a significant proportion of the genetic (0.33) and environmental (0.23) overlap between MDD and AUD. In contrast, variance specific to CON accounted for genetic overlap (0.32), but not environmental overlap (0.004). In total, SR and CON accounted for approximately 70% of the genetic and 20% of the environmental covariation between MDD and AUD. This is the first study to demonstrate that negative emotionality and behavioral control confer risk for the co-occurrence of MDD and AUD via genetic factors. These findings are consistent with the aims of NIMH's RDoC proposal to elucidate how transdiagnostic risk factors drive psychopathology.

Study Protocol on Intentional Distortion in Personality Assessment: Relationship with Test Format, Culture, and Cognitive Ability

Self-report personality questionnaires, traditionally offered in a graded-scale format, are widely used in high-stakes contexts such as job selection. However, job applicants may intentionally distort their answers when filling in these questionnaires, undermining the validity of the test results. Forced-choice questionnaires are allegedly more resistant to intentional distortion compared to graded-scale questionnaires, but they generate ipsative data. Ipsativity violates the assumptions of classical test theory, distorting the reliability and construct validity of the scales, and producing interdependencies among the scores. This limitation is overcome in the current study by using the recently developed Thurstonian item response theory model. As online testing in job selection contexts is increasing, the focus will be on the impact of intentional distortion on personality questionnaire data collected online. The present study intends to examine the effect of three different variables on intentional distortion: (a) test format (graded-scale versus forced-choice); (b) culture, as data will be collected in three countries differing in their attitudes toward intentional distortion (the United Kingdom, Serbia, and Turkey); and (c) cognitive ability, as a possible predictor of the ability to choose the more desirable responses. Furthermore, we aim to integrate the findings using a comprehensive model of intentional distortion. In the Anticipated Results section, three main aspects are considered: (a) the limitations of the manipulation, theoretical approach, and analyses employed; (b) practical implications for job selection and for personality assessment in a broader sense; and (c) suggestions for further research.

An Examination of the Higher-Order Structure of Psychopathology and Its Relationship to Personality

This study compared a series of higher-order models encompassing symptoms of both clinical and personality disorders. The final model was then correlated with a latent variable model of normal personality traits. A total of 420 undergraduates completed a battery of self-report symptom and personality questionnaires, with informant-reports and diagnostic interviews provided by overlapping subsamples. A three-level model with two factors at the highest level and four factors at the second level was the best fitting model. The higher-order internalizing and externalizing factors were then correlated with 30 latent personality facets. Results demonstrate an elevation on the neuroticism facets for the higher-order internalizing factor, along with low positive emotions, low actions, and low competence. The higher-order externalizing factor was negatively associated with most conscientiousness and agreeableness factors, while showing an elevation on excitement-seeking, impulsivity, and angry hostility. Future studies should replicate these models with the inclusion of more low base-rate disorders (i.e., psychosis).

Personality in Action

Personality research has mainly relied on self-report measures, more than on behavioral assessments. In the present study, brief behavioral personality tests were developed to measure behavior that is prototypical for the Big Five traits of conscientiousness and agreeableness. A longitudinal study (N = 322; mean age = 12.2 years) examined the predictive value of these newly developed personality tests on changes in academic and social adjustment across the transition to secondary school. Conscientiousness and agreeableness were measured before the transition to secondary school using both the behavioral personality tests and a self-report questionnaire. Academic achievement and social acceptance were measured both pre- and post-transition. The behavioral test of conscientiousness predicted changes in children’s school achievement across the transition to secondary school, above and beyond self-reported conscientiousness. Similarly, the behavioral test of agreeableness predicted change in social acceptance, whereas self-reported agreeableness did not. Behavioral personality tests index unique aspects of children’s behavioral dispositions that are not fully captured by traditional self-report personality questionnaires, and that have predictive power over time.

Personality retesting for managing intentional distortion.

Self-report personality questionnaires often contain validity scales designed to flag individuals who intentionally distort their responses toward a more favorable characterization of themselves. Yet, there are no clear directives on how scores on these scales should be used by administrators when making high-stakes decisions about respondents. Two studies were conducted to investigate whether administrator-initiated retesting of flagged individuals represents a viable response to managing intentional distortion on personality questionnaires. We explored the effectiveness of retesting by considering whether retest responses are more accurate representations of a flagged individual's personality characteristics. A comparison of retest scores to a baseline measure of personality indicated that such scores were more accurate. Retesting should only work as a strategy for dealing with intentional distortion when individuals choose to respond more accurately the second time. Thus, we further explored the emotional reaction to being asked to retest as one possible explanation of why individuals who engage in intentional distortion respond more accurately upon retest.

Familial Risk for Mood Disorder and the Personality Risk Factor, Neuroticism, Interact in Their Association with Frontolimbic Serotonin 2A Receptor Binding

Life stress is a robust risk factor for later development of mood disorders, particularly for individuals at familial risk. Likewise, scoring high on the personality trait neuroticism is associated with an increased risk for mood disorders. Neuroticism partly reflects stress vulnerability and is positively correlated to frontolimbic serotonin 2A (5-HT(2A)) receptor binding. Here, we investigate whether neuroticism interacts with familial risk in relation to frontolimbic 5-HT(2A) receptor binding. Twenty-one healthy twins with a co-twin history of mood disorder and 16 healthy twins without a co-twin history of mood disorder were included. They answered self-report personality questionnaires and underwent [(18)F]altanserin positron emission tomography. We found a significant interaction between neuroticism and familial risk in predicting the frontolimbic 5-HT(2A) receptor binding (p=0.026) in an analysis adjusting for age and body mass index. Within the high-risk group only, neuroticism and frontolimbic 5-HT(2A) receptor binding was positively associated (p=0.0037). In conclusion, our data indicate that familial risk and neuroticism interact in their relation to frontolimbic 5-HT(2A) receptor binding. These findings point at a plausible neurobiological link between genetic and personality risk factors and vulnerability to developing mood disorders. It contributes to our understanding of why some people at high risk develop mood disorders while others do not. We speculate that an increased stress reactivity in individuals at high familial risk for mood disorders might enhance the effect of neuroticism in shaping the impact of potential environmental stress and thereby influence serotonergic neurotransmission.

Personality Factors and Breast Cancer Risk: A 13-Year Follow-up

Consistent scientific evidence on the possible relationship between psychologic variables and breast cancer development is lacking. In 1996, our group first reported on the present prospective, longitudinal study. We found a weak association between a high score on the antiemotionality scale (indicating an absence of emotional behavior or a lack of trust in one's own feelings) and the development of breast cancer. No associations were found between any of the other 10 studied personality traits and breast cancer development. However, the study had a relatively short follow-up and did not investigate interaction effects between various personality traits. Therefore, the current follow-up study was conducted with the same cohort, which included the 9705 women who attended a biennial population surveillance program for breast cancer and completed a self-report personality questionnaire between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 1990. Women who developed breast cancer during the period from May 17, 1995, through January 1, 2003, formed the case group (n = 217) and were compared with age-matched women without breast cancer who formed the control group (n = 868) with regard to personality traits and medical risk factors for breast cancer. None of the personality factors were statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, with or without adjusting for the medical risk factors. Also, the occurrence of a combination of various personality traits (eg, a so-called cancer-prone personality) was not related to breast cancer development.

A new approach to the assessment of structural personality pathology: Theory-driven profile interpretation of the Dutch Short Form of the MMPI

This article presents a new approach to the assessment of structural personality pathology: theory-driven profile interpretation of the Dutch Short Form of the MMPI (DSFM). The assessment method integrates results of a self-report personality questionnaire with psychodynamic theoretical concepts to yield a working hypothesis about underlying structural features of personality. As an illustration, results of a validation study with psychotic phenomena in projective drawings as the external criterion are described. Results show that the DSFM profiles, that are presumed to measure psychotic vulnerability predict psychotic phenomena in projective drawings, after statistically controlling for the effect of age, the single scales that are being used to construct the profiles and their statistical interaction. Results suggest that theory-driven profile interpretation of the DSFM may be considered a time and cost efficient method to derive a working hypothesis about structural vulnerability.