Subclinical Personality Research Articles

Alexithymia as a mediator between adverse childhood events and the development of psychopathology: a meta-analysis.

Victims of child abuse have an elevated risk of developing mental health issues later in life. Several variables have been suggested as mediators of this correlation, but little is known about the possible influence of alexithymia. Alexithymia is a sub-clinical personality trait that manifests as difficulties recognizing and verbalizing emotions. In this study, two separate meta-analyses were conducted using questionnaire data, and Pearson correlations for overall effects were estimated. The correlation between child abuse and alexithymia showed to be significant (r = .26), as did the correlation between alexithymia and general psychopathology (r = .44). Further analyses revealed no indication for possible publication bias. When investigating differences between various subtypes of child maltreatment, each subtype significantly correlated with alexithymia. Emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect had stronger correlations than physical and sexual abuse. These results suggest that alexithymia plays a mediating role, at least in part, in the relationship between experiences of child abuse and general psychopathology in adulthood. Therefore, alexithymia may be relevant to further research and deserves attention in the prevention of and therapy for mental health issues in victims of child abuse.

All the Working World’s A Stage: Narcissism, Work Values, and Vocational Preferences

Prior research has established that individuals high in narcissism may favor certain professions over others, but the reasons for this remain speculative. The present study employs the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Concept model to differentiate between two motivational drivers of narcissism – admiration (desire for praise) and rivalry (desire to denigrate others) – and explores their influence on vocational preferences in an online sample of 386 full-time U.S. employees. Further, we examine the role of work values (achievement, comfort, status, altruism, safety, autonomy) as mediators in these preferences. By understanding how narcissism’s two dimensions shape interest in various vocations, we expand upon previous research on subclinical personality and career preferences, offering organizations a way to proactively identify workers with potentially derailing personality characteristics. Finding that work values mediate the relationship between narcissism and vocational interests suggests the importance of investigating this mediating mechanism with other bright and dark traits.

OXTR polymorphisms and parental bonding modulate alexithymia: The main effects and interaction

Alexithymia is a subclinical personality disorder characterized by difficulties in identifying and expressing one's own emotion. Individual differences in alexithymia are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. However, the interplay between these factors and their influences on alexithymia are unclear. Considering that oxytocin plays important roles in emotion processing and that parental bonding influences the development of alexithymia, we explored the associations between OXTR polymorphisms and alexithymia and examined whether the potential associations are moderated by parental bonding. To this end, we genotyped the OXTR polymorphisms (rs53576 and rs1042778) and scored alexithymia and parental bonding with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Parental Bonding Instrument. Results indicated that: (1) the characteristics of alexithymia were negatively associated with parental care and positively with parental overprotection; (2) the OXTR rs53576 was significantly associated with the characteristics of alexithymia, such that the AA genotype was associated with fewer difficulties in identifying feelings and describing feelings than the AG/GG genotypes; and (3) the OXTR rs1042778 interacted with parental care in alexithymia with the vantage sensitivity model: the GG genotype was related to less severity of alexithymia than the AG/GG genotypes only in individuals with higher parental care. Overall, these findings suggest that the OXTR is related to alexithymia and that the quality of parental care influences the relationship. However, considering that the evidence from this study is weak, more research is needed to understand the roles of OXTR in alexithymia.

The relationships between Stress, Dark Triad personality and utilitarian Moral Judgment

There is a growing evidence that stress affects cognitive and emotional processes underling decision making. However, according some authors, subclinical personality traits of the participants must be also considered in this relation between stress and moral decision. Our study examines whether stress affects moral decision-making according two different subclinical personalities. Forty undergraduate volunteers were previously distributed according their personality traits (Machiavellian; Narcissism and Normal) and randomly assigned to both conditions (stress vs. control). The stress induction was assessed with a self-reported questionnaire and with a measurement of heart rate. All participants performed a moral decision-making task in which every day moral dilemmas were described. The main results suggest that stress group made less utilitarian choices when compared to control group. Although machiavellian and narcissistic participants made more utilitarian decisions; the interaction between stress, personality and moral judgment did not reach significance. We conclude that stress induction predisposed participants to less utilitarian responses when faced to personal and impersonal moral dilemmas. We also suggested that subclinical personality (particularly narcissism) seems to be less permeable to stress; revealing the same moral utilitarian pattern in both experimental conditions.

Doctors in distress: The personality profile of derailing doctors.

This study looked at the bright and dark-side personality profile of distressed and potentially derailing doctors (82% male). The derailing doctors were on average 48.75 years old, and from many specialities, in particular, general practice and surgery. In all, a group of 77 derailing British doctors, and a control group of 357 doctors completed a valid multi-dimensional test of bright-side (normal) personality (NEO-PI-R) and one of dysfunctional interpersonal themes (sub-clinical personality disorders) (HDS: Hogan Development Survey). Controlling for sex and age, the derailing doctors were more Neurotic (less resilient), and less Agreeable, Conscientious, Extraverted and Open-to- Experience. They were also more Excitable (Borderline), Sceptical (Paranoid), Cautious (Avoidant), Reserved (Schizoid), Leisurely (Passive Aggressive) and Bold (Narcissistic). Discriminant analysis showed age, Neuroticism, Extraversion, Leisurely and Excitable were, in that order, the greatest personality discriminators between those who did and did not derail. More research needs to be done on doctor derailment to inform the selection and training of doctors.

Антисоциальные и агрессивные черты личности осужденных за убийство

The work is aimed at finding the relationship between dispositional aggression and antiso-cial personality traits of convicted murderers. The study involved criminals who were con-victed of: 1) intentional unlawful taking of another person’s life, i.e. murder (“direct” mur-derers) and 2) illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors and analogues (“indirect” murderers). The average age was 39.3±10.8. 33.6% of them were first-time convicted criminals, and 66.4% had previous experience of imprisonment. The study used the “Dark Dozen” questionnaire aimed at measuring subclinical personality traits, two scales of PDT (Psychodiagnostic Test) and the aggressiveness questionnaire by A. Buss and M. Perry. As a result of the study, differences in the antisocial and aggressive personality traits of “direct” and “indirect” murderers were described, as well as the rela-tionship and mutual influence of the antisocial and aggressive personality traits of the crim-inals from these groups.

Few sex differences in dark side personality scale domains and facets

• Over 50,000 adults completed a measure of sub-clinical personality disorder. • Males and females were compared on the 11 domains and 33 facets of the disorders. • Cohen's d statistic showed very few (5 out of 44) differences >0.20. • The biggest difference was on reserved (Schizoid) and few differences on excitable (Borderline). This study examined sex differences in domain and facet scores on a new dark-side personality test (Hogan Development Survey: Form 5) measuring sub-clinical personality disorders. Over 50,000 adults completed the new HDS which assesses eleven dark-side traits and three facets of each. Comparing males and females on the 11 domains and 33 facets using t-tests and binary regressions we found that there were many significant differences on these scores, which replicated other studies. However, the Cohen's d statistic showed very few (5 out of 44) differences >0.20. The biggest difference was on Reserved (Schizoid) and few differences on Excitable (Borderline). Implications for researchers interested in assessment and selection are discussed along with limitations of the study.

Designing a therapeutic model of personality biopsychological approach for personality difficulty: A new setting for psychiatric residents’ clinical education

Subclinical personality difficulties are the source of many interpersonal problems, and it is necessary for psychiatry residents to gain a comprehensive knowledge of the concepts of personality and personality disorders, including subclinical disorders. Clinical education is one of the most important aspects of medical students’ training. Improving the quality of this course is of particular importance. The services provided at the Personality Modulation Clinic of Razi Educational and Medical Center in Tabriz have been designed based on available scientific evidence and experiences for individuals with personality difficulties. The current research evaluates the effects of a new treatment known as the "Personality Biopsychological Approach" for individuals with personality difficulty for the first time given the absence of such an integrated and coherent program in clinical education. There are five main phases of study design: assessing patients’ needs, assessing psychiatric residents’ needs, formulating educational goals, the design of treatment model, and implementation. The current study found that society’s mental health is a top priority for national growth and development. Therefore, training psychiatrists in this field plays a crucial role in ensuring both individuals’ and society’s health and well-being. This study indicates that psychiatry residents’ acquaintance with this issue can increase their ability in the correct diagnosis and intervention in preventing the exacerbation of psychiatric disorders.

Mediators and Theories of Change in Psychotherapy for Young People With Personality Disorders: A Systematic Review Protocol.

Background: Personality disorders (PDs) are a severe health issue already prevalent among adolescents and young adults. Early detection and intervention offer the opportunity to reduce disease burden and chronicity of symptoms and to enhance long-term functional outcomes. While psychological treatments for PDs have been shown to be effective for young people, the mediators and specific change mechanisms of treatment are still unclear.Aim: As part of the “European Network of Individualized Psychotherapy Treatment of Young People with Mental Disorders” (TREATme), funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), we will conduct a systematic review to summarize the existing knowledge on mediators of treatment outcome and theories of change in psychotherapy for young people with personality disorders. In particular, we will evaluate whether mediators appear to be common or specific to particular age groups, treatment models, or outcome domains (e.g., psychosocial functioning, life quality, and adverse treatment effects).Method: We will follow the reporting guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement recommendations. Electronic databases (PubMed and PsycINFO) have been systematically searched for prospective, longitudinal, and case–control designs of psychological treatment studies, which examine mediators published in English. Participants will be young people between 10 and 30years of age who suffer from subclinical personality symptoms or have a personality disorder diagnosis and receive an intervention that aims at preventing, ameliorating, and/or treating psychological problems.Results: The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and at conference presentations and will be shared with relevant stakeholder groups. The data set will be made available to other research groups following recommendations of the open science initiative. Databases with the systematic search will be made openly available following open science initiatives. The review has been registered in PROSPERO (evaluation is pending, registration number ID 248959).Implications: This review will deliver a comprehensive overview on the empirical basis to contribute to the further development of psychological treatments for young people with personality disorders.

Психологическое изучение личности осужденного в зависимости от количества судимостей

The article is devoted to an empirical analysis of diagnostics problems study of personality traits among convicts serving sentences in prison.On the basis of the obtained data, the psychological characteristics of negative personal traits of convicts in the aspect of psychological support of educational impact on them are determined.The author of the article used the «Dark triad» questionnaire developed in 2002 by Canadian researchers Delra Paulhus and Kevin Williams. This questionnaire is aimed at measuring the subclinical personality traits included in the so-called «Dark triad»: narcissism, psychopathy and machiavellianism. This method has shown its effectiveness in the diagnostic work of prison psychologists. The key task of the study was to identify statistically significant differences in the groups of convicts serving their first sentence and those who had previously been convicted several times.The study involved 200 convicts. Comparing the differences in the groups of convicts, the author notes their specificity. In particular, high levels of dark constructs were identified from a group of repeatedly serving sentences in places of liberty deprivation.The presence of pronounced negative personality traits form a single global index of «dark personality». Scales of the «Dark triad» that reflect the negative personal core allow to quickly get the necessary indices and identify the mechanisms of convicts’ functioning serving sentences in correctional institutions.Prison psychologists need to take into account the high rates of negative constructs in order to implement psychological support measures for convicts throughout the entire period of serving their sentence.

Demographic, Personality Trait and Personality Disorder Correlates of Aesthetic Motivation

This study looked at personality and sub-clinical personality disorder correlates of self-rated motives for aesthetic motivation (AM). Two groups, totalling over 4000 adult British managers, completed three tests including a personality trait measure (HPI); a personality disorders measure (HDS), and a measure of their Motives and Values (MVPI) for Aestheticism and Culture. The two different groups had similar results, showing that for personality traits Inquisitiveness (Openness-to-Experience) and Sociability (Extraversion) were positively, and Adjustment (low Neuroticism) and Prudence (Conscientiousness) were negatively, related to AM. For personality disorder traits Imaginativeness (Schizotypy) and Colourful (Histrionic) were positively correlated with AM. Factor analysis confirmed the higher order classification of both traits and disorders. Regressions at the higher factor level suggested personality traits were more related to AM than disorder traits. Implications for the selection and management of aesthetic people are considered. Limitations and future directions are also noted.

Resilience, alexithymia, and university stress in relation to anxiety and problematic alcohol use among female university students

ObjectivesUniversity students in Australia report higher levels of stress than non‐students of the same age, with females reporting higher stress than males. The ability to successfully adapt to, and cope with, stressful situations and events, often referred to as resilience, requires social and interpersonal resources as well as the ability to effectively self‐regulate emotions. When such resources and abilities are deficient, responses to university stress are likely to be maladaptive. Deficient emotional self‐regulation is characteristic of individuals with the subclinical personality trait alexithymia, who also tend to suffer from social and interpersonal difficulties; thus students with alexithymia may be especially susceptible to university stress and associated adverse outcomes of low resilience. The present study examined resilience in relation to alexithymia, university stress, and two common outcomes of the latter in female university students: anxiety and problematic drinking.MethodValidated self‐report measures of the relevant constructs were completed online by 136 female university students from two Australian universities. All participants indicated they had English‐language proficiency and no history of serious head injury or diagnosed psychological disorder.ResultsSerial mediation models indicated that resilience showed the predicted protective relationship to both problematic drinking and anxiety through lower levels of alexithymia and university stress.ConclusionsFindings suggest that students who lack resilience are more likely to report stress at university, as well as associated adverse outcomes such as anxiety and problematic drinking, due to deficiencies in emotional self‐regulation and inadequate use of social and interpersonal resources for successful coping.

Chopping and Changing: Demographic, Bright and Dark Side Trait Correlates of Job Changes

The aim of this study was to explore personality correlates of those who frequently change, as opposed to remain for longer periods, in their jobs. Over 6000 adult managers (Mean Age 43.83 years) attending an assessment centre completed a battery of tests including a normal, “bright side” personality trait measure (NEO-PI-R); a “dark side”, sub-clinical personality disorders measure (HDS). They also recorded how many jobs they had held over their life-time (Mean 7.01). Correlational analyses showed those who had more jobs were strongly associated with age as well as low Neuroticism, high Extraversion, and Conscientiousness, as well as being Cautious, Dutiful, Mischievous and Imaginative. Regressions showed the higher-order, “dark side” factor “Moving Against Others” was associated with more job changes. There appears to be no other studies in this area either by differential and social psychologists or sociologists. Limitations of this essentially pilot study are noted.

Mechanisms of voice control related to prosody in autism spectrum disorder and first-degree relatives.

Differences in prosody (e.g., intonation, rhythm) are among the most obvious language‐related impairments in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and significantly impact communication. Subtle prosodic differences have also been identified in a subset of clinically unaffected first‐degree relatives of individuals with ASD, and may reflect genetic liability to ASD. This study investigated the neural basis of prosodic differences in ASD and first‐degree relatives through analysis of feedforward and feedback control involved in the planning, production, self‐monitoring, and self‐correction of speech by using a pitch‐perturbed auditory feedback paradigm during sustained vowel and speech production. Results revealed larger vocal response magnitudes to pitch‐perturbed auditory feedback across tasks in ASD and ASD parent groups, with differences in sustained vowel production driven by parents who displayed subclinical personality and language features associated with ASD (i.e., broad autism phenotype). Both ASD and ASD parent groups exhibited increased response onset latencies during sustained vowel production, while the ASD parent group exhibited decreased response onset latencies during speech production. Vocal response magnitudes across tasks were associated with prosodic atypicalities in both individuals with ASD and their parents. Exploratory event‐related potential (ERP) analyses in a subgroup of participants during the sustained vowel task revealed reduced P1 ERP amplitudes in the ASD group, with similar trends observed in parents. Overall, results suggest underdeveloped feedforward systems and neural attenuation in detecting audio‐vocal feedback may contribute to ASD‐related prosodic atypicalities. Importantly, results implicate atypical audio‐vocal integration as a marker of genetic risk to ASD, evident in ASD and among clinically unaffected relatives. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1192–1210. © 2019 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryPrevious research has identified atypicalities in prosody (e.g., intonation) in individuals with ASD and a subset of their first‐degree relatives. In order to better understand the mechanisms underlying prosodic differences in ASD, this study examined how individuals with ASD and their parents responded to unexpected differences in what they heard themselves say to modify control of their voice (i.e., audio‐vocal integration). Results suggest that disruptions to audio‐vocal integration in individuals with ASD contribute to ASD‐related prosodic atypicalities, and the more subtle differences observed in parents could reflect underlying genetic liability to ASD.

Sexy deeds done dark? Examining the relationship between dark personality traits and sexual motivation

The Dark Tetrad is composed of four related subclinical personality traits: narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism. Using Life History Theory (LHT) as a framework, the current study examined Dark Tetrad traits as predictors of a variety of sexual motivations and goals. Participants (N = 345) were recruited from a large southern U.S. university and completed Dark Tetrad measures and scales related to various self- and partner-focused motivations for sex. Results indicated that greater Machiavellianism was associated with being motivated to have sex for selfish reasons (for self-image concerns, to enhance the self, for stress relief and to exert power, and for pleasure), but also with partner-oriented motives (to give the partner power, and fostering emotional connection with a partner). Moreover, greater psychopathy was associated with being motivated to have sex for stress relief; conversely, greater psychopathy was associated with less partner-focused motivations. No effects were found for narcissism and sadism. Consistent with LHT, these results augment our understanding of the sexual and interpersonal experiences of those endorsing Dark Tetrad traits.

The bright and dark side of achievement motivation

This study looked at personality trait and sub-clinical personality disorder correlates of self-rated motivation for Recognition, Power and overall Achievement. In two studies, over 4000 adult participants completed a battery of tests including a ‘bright side’ personality trait measure (HPI); a ‘dark-side’/disorders measure (HDS), and a measure of Motives and Values (MVPI) which included Recognition and Power. Analysis was done at the subscale level as well as the higher order (domain) level with bright side personality being categorised as Alpha and Beta and dark side personality as Moving Away, Against and Towards Others. The two studies showed similar results: for all three criteria variables the strongest correlates were the dark-side variables, particularly Boldness (Narcissism), and the higher order factor Moving Against Others. Implications for the selection and management of Achievement Oriented people in a business are considered. Limitations and future directions of this research are also noted.

A Big Five facet analysis of sub-clinical dependent personality disorder (Dutifulness)

This study aimed to examine a Big Five, normal personality trait, “bright side” analysis of a sub-clinical personality disorder: Dependency Personality Disorder. Around 6000 British adults completed the NEO-PI-R which measures the Big Five personality factors at the domain and the facet level. They also completed the Hogan Development Survey (HDS) which has a measure of sub-clinical Dependency Personality Disorder called Dutiful as one of its eleven dysfunctional interpersonal tendencies. Correlation and regression results confirmed many of the associations between the Big Five domains and facets and sub-clinical Dependency. The Dutiful (Dependent) scale from the HDS was the criterion variable in all analyses. The results showed that those high on Dutiful are highly unstable Neurotic, Agreeable people who are low on Openness. They are Anxious, Compliant, Self-Conscious, Unassertive and Vulnerable. It is thus possible to assess subclinical personality disorder “dark-side” traits, like Dutifulness, in terms of normal “bright-side” traits. Limitations of the study are acknowledged.

Personality assessment of intellectually gifted adults: A dimensional trait approach

Personality is often assessed by measuring the severity of dimensional traits regardless of intellectual functioning. However, extreme deviations from average cognitive abilities affect biological, psychological, and social characteristics, to the extent that they may lead to atypical trajectories of development. The present study examined subclinical personality traits of intellectually gifted adults who unlikely fulfill traditional criteria for psychopathological diagnosis.Seventy-five intellectually gifted individuals (i.e., at least one WAIS-IV Index >130) completed the DAPP-BQ. Their scores were compared to a control group. Age range was the same across the two groups (18–45 years). Gender differences were then examined within the gifted group.The group of gifted individuals reported significant higher scores on eight DAPP-BQ scales. A large effect size was found on Rejection trait; medium effect sizes on Narcissism and Low Affiliation traits. Identity Problems, Callousness, Restricted Expression, Compulsivity, and Suspiciousness were associated with small effect sizes. Moreover, gifted women reported higher scores than gifted men.Dysfunctional traits of gifted adults may contribute to interpersonal maladjustments. This may be the consequence of poor emotional attunement and inappropriate support that they received in childhood for their superior intellectual abilities. Sociocultural issues may maintain these psychological vulnerabilities, especially within gifted women.

The dark side of work values

The current study investigates dark-side personality traits correlates of the revised Work Values Questionnaire (WVQ) which has two main factors (Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation) and each having three sub-factors. Participants also completed the Coolidge Axis-II Inventory (SCATI: Coolidge 2001) which measures fourteen sub-clinical personality disorders (PDs), and they rated their IQ and EQ. Males and younger people rated Recognition positively and Security negatively as work motivational factors. Regressions indicated that the PDs were more associated with Intrinsic Motivators, particularly Recognition and Affiliation. When the PDs were clustered according to DSM-V (APA 2015) guidelines it appeared that Cluster A was negatively, and Cluster B positively, associated with Intrinsic Motivation at domain and facet level. Implications and limitations are considered.

The perception of sub-clinical personality disorders by employers, employees and co-workers

This study set out to determine people's perceptions of different dark-side personality types in the workplace. A total of 240 adults with at least one year's work experience rated vignettes describing job candidates with sub-clinical PDs. PDs were grouped into (Hogan and Hogan's 1997) personality clusters ‘Moving Away from’, ‘Moving Against’ and ‘Moving Toward’ others. PDs in the Moving Toward cluster were rated as the most desirable employees. Participants were least willing to work with or for PDs in the Moving Against cluster. Moving Against candidates were perceived as less successful than Moving Towards candidates, suggesting that people believe the costs of working with people with many PDs (e.g. psychopathy and narcissism) outweigh any benefits there may be. Implications and limitations are noted.