Temperament Profiles Research Articles

Psychological Type and Temperament Profile of Anglican Clergy Serving in the Episcopal Church (USA)

Abstract The present study drew on data provided by 179 clergymen and 226 clergywomen to discuss the psychological type and temperaments profile of stipendiary parochial clergy serving in The Episcopal Church (USA) and to set this profile alongside 591 clergymen and 486 clergywomen serving in the Church of England. The data indicated a similar profile for Anglican clergy on both sides of the Atlantic, with preferences for introversion, intuition, feeling and judging. In terms of temperament, in the USA 41% of clergymen were SJ, 38% NF, 17% NT and 4% SP; 43% of clergywomen were NF, 41% SJ, 13% NT and 2% SP.

Temperament and the Experience of Tension and Self-Injurious Behaviour in Adolescents-The Mediating Role of Maladaptive Perfectionism.

Background: Adolescence is an important point in the emotional development of young people. It is a time when young people are characterised by a high degree of emotional instability and seek effective ways to regulate their emotions. One of the frequent methods they use to cope with emotional tension is self-injurious behaviour. Methods: In the context of the rising incidence of self-harm among adolescents, this study aims to understand the association of temperament with the experience of tension and self-injurious behaviour along with the mediating role of perfectionism among 366 adolescents aged 15 to 20 years (Mage = 17.98, SD = 1.302, 52.7% female). Participants completed questionnaires on temperament traits, level of perfectionism, and experience of tension and self-injurious behaviour. Results: The results show that traits such as perfectionism, sensory sensitivity and emotional reactivity increase the risk of self-injurious behaviour. Maladaptive perfectionism partially mediates the relationship between these traits and the tendency to experience emotional tension. A temperament profile with a protective role was also identified. Conclusions: The results of the study highlight the importance of innate traits as well as environmental and cognitive influences, and may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to self-injurious behaviour and strategies aimed at its prevention.

Looking for the good in times of adversity: Examining the interplay of temperament and social schemas in shaping resilience in youth.

Resilience is a broad and dynamic concept that can be seen as being constituted by the combination of internal factors, for example, temperament profiles, and external factors, for example, social support. This paper aimed to identify temperament profiles in help-seeking youth exposed to adverse childhood experiences, and to investigate whether temperament (putative internal protective factor) interacts with social schemas (as proxy for the putative external protective factor social support) such that their combination is associated with (a) reduced mental health problems and (b) attenuated decrease in positive affect following daily life stressors. Self-report questionnaires were used to measure temperament, social schemas and mental health problems. The experience sampling method was used to assess stress and positive affect (i.e., stress-sensitivity as a potential daily life resilience mechanism). Temperament profiles were identified by latent profile analysis and regression analyses were used to examine (interaction) effects. In 138 subjects, three temperament profiles were identified, that is, a moderate, volatile and persevering profile, of which the latter was negatively associated with mental health problems. Neither mental health problems nor stress sensitivity were found to be affected by the interaction between temperament and social schemas. However, positive social schemas were found to be independently associated with reduced mental health problems (b = -4.41; p = <.001) and reduced stress sensitivity (b = .10, p = .044). Findings are relevant for both practice and research, and contribute to improving our understanding of putative protective factor in the development of mental ill-health, thereby further unravelling the construct of resilience.

A cluster analysis of attachment styles in patients with borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder and ADHD

BackgroundInsecure adult attachment has been associated with psychiatric disorders characterized by emotional dysregulation, such as borderline personality disorder (BPD), bipolar disorder (BD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, little is known about the differences in attachment patterns between these diagnostic groups. The aim of this study was to identify clusters of adult attachment style in a cross-diagnostic group of patients with BDP and/or BD and/or ADHD and explore the characteristics of these clusters based on temperament profile, childhood trauma and psychiatric diagnoses.MethodsK-means cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups, based on the Attachment Style Questionnaire Short Form dimensions, in a clinical cohort of 150 young adults (113 women and 37 men, mean age ± SD = 23.3 ± 2.1) diagnosed with BPD, and/or BD, and/or ADHD.ResultsThree distinct clusters were identified: a secure, an insecure/avoidant-anxious and an insecure/avoidant cluster. These three clusters differed in temperament profile and related psychiatric diagnoses.ConclusionsThe three clusters of attachment in individuals with BPD, BD and/or ADHD could support differentiation between the disorders as well provide information usable for planning of treatment.

The Psychological Type and Temperament Profile of Ordinands at Cranmer Hall, Durham, 2008–2016

Abstract This study explores the psychological type and temperament profile of 117 male and 80 female ordinands training at Cranmer Hall, Durham, over a nine-year period alongside earlier studies of Church of England stipendiary clergy. The data confirm the prominence of the Apollonian (NF) Temperament accounting for 41% of male and 54% of female ordinands. Among male ordinands there were preferences for extraversion (58%), intuition (70%), feeling (61%), and judging (60%). Among female ordinands there were preferences for extraversion (56%), intuition (64%), feeling (74%), and judging (74%). The implications of these finding are discussed for the future shape of ministry.

The affective temperaments as a prognostic factor in the course of alcohol addiction – a key to enhance diagnoses and therapy?

The paper outlines the role of affective temperaments, as defined by Akiskal, in the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorders with a particular focus on the clinical course of addiction. Among affective temperaments, a cyclothymic temperament seems to play a key role in the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorders, and have the greatest influence on the clinical course of addiction. A high cyclothymic score is associated with inter alia an earlier onset of drinking and alcohol dependence, a negative course of alcohol dependence, relapse and alcohol craving. The structure of affective temperaments is also a predictor of suicidal behavior and drug addiction in the alcohol addict population. Interest has been growing regarding the role of affective temperament in the development and course of alcohol dependence; however, further research in this area is needed. An understanding of the temperamental determinants of alcohol dependence in the affective dimension may significantly support diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Affective temperament profile may be suggestive of alcohol use disorders and may be a primary prognostic factor of craving and relapse, potential suicide, treatment motivation and the co-occurrence of drug dependence among patients with alcohol use disorder.

Cyclothymic affective temperament and low positive attitude coping strategies as predictors of comorbid depressive symptomatology in adult ADHD patients

IntroductionAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults could be frequently underdiagnosed due to concomitant psychiatric disorders, including depressive symptomatology, which could determine inappropriate treatments. Our study aims at clinically characterizing adult ADHD with or without depressive symptomatology in order to identify the relationship with specific affective temperamental profiles and coping strategies. MethodsA total of 225 outpatients consecutively afferent to our outpatient adult ADHD service since September 2019 were retrospectively screened for eligibility and administered Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE-NV) and Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS-M). Results64.7 % of patients displayed a significant comorbid depressive symptomatology. According to the multivariate linear regression model, depressive levels were positively predicted by TEMPS-M cyclothymic subscale (B = 0.567, p = 0.004) and negatively predicted by COPE-NVI “positive attitude” subscale (B = −0.438, p = 0.024) (R = 0.496, R2 = 0.246, F(2,66) = 10.747, p < 0.001). LimitationWhile considering the results, it should be taken in consideration that: the assessment was carried out only at baseline, our sample is constituted only by adult ADHD patients and mostly without a previous ADHD diagnosis, the presence of a discrepancy between the rates of ADHD subtypes, the absence of a healthy control group and emotional dysregulation was not directly assessed. ConclusionAffective temperamental profiles and coping strategies could help in clinically characterizing and personalizing treatment in adult comorbid ADHD-depressive symptomatology patients. Further research is warranted to explore the efficacy of targeted psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions within this ADHD sub-sample.

T38 - Differential Reward Processing Across Adolescent Temperamental Profiles Associated With Increased Risk of Substance Use

T38 - Differential Reward Processing Across Adolescent Temperamental Profiles Associated With Increased Risk of Substance Use

A Penguin is Not a Giraffe: Categorizing Preschool Children According to Temperament

AbstractTemperament is a widely researched trait that significantly influences children’s lives. Still, theorists differ in their perspectives on the construct. With their nine dimensions of temperament and three “categories” of children—easy, difficult, or slow to warm up—Thomas and colleagues (1968) laid the foundation for future temperament research. Subsequent researchers have identified temperament profiles that are similar to but not completely consistent with Thomas and colleagues’ model. Still, most conceptualizations exist primarily for researchers and may be challenging to translate for educators who work directly with children and their caregivers. Therefore, this study had two aims. First, we used cluster analysis to corroborate and extend research that categorized children into temperament groups. We identified four groups that converge and one group that diverges from previous findings. Our second, more important purpose was to strengthen the link between research and practice by conceptualizing our results in a way that is understandable to educators and caregivers. The challenging task of capturing the nature of each cluster in one or even a few words led us to adopt a zoomorphic approach in which we assigned nonhuman animal names to each group: koalas, penguins, dogs, bobcats, and giraffes. Our findings support previous groupings of children by temperament and provide a consumer-friendly model that facilitates communication between caregivers and educators.

Distinguishing Affective Temperament Profiles in Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder Through the Short Version of TEMPS-A: Cross-Sectional Study Using Latent Profile Analysis.

This study aimed to elucidate the distinct response patterns exhibited by patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) and those with major depressive disorder (MDD) through the application of the short version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A-SV). A total of 2,458 participants consisting of patients with MDD (n=288), BD (BD I, n=111; BD II, n=427), and control group (n=1,632) completed the TEMPS-A-SV. The response patterns of the participants were classified into distinct profiles using latent profile analysis. The study further examined the impact of covariates such as age, sex, and diagnostic group on derived latent profile memberships. The following three latent profiles were identified: High Affective Temperament Group (17.86%), Low Affective Temperament Group (41.25%), and Middle Affective Temperament Group (40.89%). Compared with the patient group with MDD and BD, the control group was more likely to belong in the Low Affective Temperament Group, which showed a higher score on hyperthymic temperament than the Middle Affective Temperament Group. Furthermore, compared with the patients with BD, the MDD patients were more likely to be in the Low Affective Temperament Group rather than the Middle Affective Temperament Group. These results indicate that different affective temperaments exist between patients with MDD and BD. Attempting to classify response patterns using the TEMPS-A-SV can help diagnose MDD and BD correctly.

Profiles and the impact of affective temperaments on alcohol use disorder: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to explore the profiles and impact of affective temperaments, together with social and clinical backgrounds, including affective symptoms, in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study included 314 low-risk drinkers and 257 patients with AUD. To assess affective temperament, we used the short version of the temperament evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego. To evaluate depressive and mixed symptoms, the quick inventory of depressive symptomatology self-report Japanese version and 12-item questionnaire for the quantitative assessment of the depressive mixed state were used. We compared the profiles of affective temperaments as well as social and clinical backgrounds, including affective symptoms, between the two groups and further performed logistic regression analyses to explore the factors contributing to AUD. Our analysis showed higher cyclothymic, hyperthymic, and irritable temperament scores and lower depressive temperament scores in patients with AUD than that in nonclinical drinkers. Regarding other social and clinical backgrounds, patients with AUD were less educated and employed and more experienced depressive and mixed symptoms. Logistic regression analysis identified hyperthymic temperament as a positive contributor and depressive temperament as a negative contributor to AUD. Our findings indicated potential bipolarity in patients with AUD, as manifested by a more hyperthymic temperament in contrast to less depressive temperament. Despite their self-perceived adaptive temperament profiles, patients showed poorer social outcomes and more affective symptoms. This gap may be partly explained by a lack of insight unique to AUD psychology, which potentially disturbs problem recognition.

Developmental cascades from maternal preconception stress to child behavior problems: Testing multilevel preconception, prenatal, and postnatal influences.

Although maternal stress during pregnancy and even before conception shapes offspring risk for mental health problems, relatively little is known about the mechanisms through which these associations operate. In theory, preconception and prenatal stress may affect offspring mental health by influencing child responses to postnatal caregiving. To address this knowledge gap, this study had two aims. First, we examined associations between preconception and prenatal stress with child temperament profiles at age four using multilevel assessment of maternal perceived stress and stress physiology. Second, we tested child temperament profiles as moderators of associations between observed parenting behaviors during a parent-child free-play interaction when children were 4 years old and child behavior problems 1 year later. Latent profile analyses yielded four distinct child temperament profiles: inhibited, exuberant, regulated low reactive, and regulated high reactive. Consistent with hypotheses, preconception, and prenatal stress each independently predicted the likelihood of children having temperament profiles characterized by higher negative emotionality and lower regulation. Specifically, preconception perceived stress and prenatal cortisol predicted likelihood of children having an exuberant temperament, whereas prenatal perceived stress predicted likelihood of children having an inhibited temperament. Contrary to hypotheses, temperament profiles did not moderate predictions of child behavior problems from observed parenting behaviors; however, responsive parenting behaviors inversely predicted child behavior problems independently of child temperament. These findings add to growing evidence regarding effects of preconception factors on child outcomes and underscore a central role for responsive parenting behaviors in predicting more favorable child mental health independent of child temperament. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The influence of socio-economic status on child temperament and psychological symptom profiles.

The influence of socio-economic status (SES) on child temperament and psychological symptoms was examined using a nationally representative sample in Singapore. Data were available for 2169 children from 1987 families. Caregivers' reports were obtained on children aged 4-6. SES was operationalized as an aggregation of household income per capita, parental education level and housing type. Compared to their counterparts from higher SES families, children from low-SES families tended to exhibit (a) higher negative affectivity but lower effortful control, and (b) higher internalizing and externalizing symptoms. In addition, children with a 'resilient' temperamental profile (i.e. low negative affectivity and high effortful control) were more likely to come from families with much higher SES, relative to children with other profiles. Children with high internalizing symptoms tended to come from low-SES backgrounds, regardless of their externalizing symptoms. Among children with low internalizing symptoms, those with high externalizing symptoms came from lower SES backgrounds compared to those with low externalizing symptoms. Parental warmth and distress mediated the association between SES and child temperament and symptom profiles, with the exception of distress in the SES-temperament link. These findings supported the family stress model and highlighted the novel perspective of SES's influence on configurations of child temperament and symptom characteristics.

Predominant affective temperaments in depressive patients with severe social withdrawal

BackgroundHikikomori (HK) is characterized by self-isolation and social refusal, being more likely also associated with affective disorders, including depression. This case–control study primarily aimed at identifying (if any) predominant affective temperaments are associated with HK in depressed versus not-depressed individuals. Secondary objectives comprise assessing which other psychopathological dimensions (e.g., boredom, anxiety) are associated with the HK specifier in depressed individuals.MethodsFrom the larger SWATCH study, 687 Italian young people were screened for depression, as measured by 9 items-Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and HK-like social withdrawal, through the Hikikomori Questionnaire-25 (HQ-25). All subjects were administered a brief-Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS-M), the 7 items-Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS).ResultsMales reported significantly higher scores at HQ-25 total score than females (p = 0.026). In the total sample, HK social withdrawal is positively predicted by MSBS low arousal, disengagement, depressive levels, depressive and irritable affective temperaments, while negatively by anxiety (F(6, 680) = 82.336, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.421). By selecting only depressed sample, HQ-25 is positively predicted by MSBS total score, low arousal and depressive affective temperament, while negatively by MSBS high arousal (F(4, 383) = 48.544, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.336). The logistic regression model found that the likelihood of developing depression with the HK specifier is significantly predicted by depressive and cyclothymic affective temperaments.ConclusionsThese preliminary findings could help in clinically characterizing the relationship between specific affective temperamental profiles among individuals with depression with/without HK specifier, in order to provide a more tailored and personalized therapeutic approach. Our Italian study should be extensively replicated in larger, longitudinal and multicentric pan-European studies, by specifically assessing the impact of these findings on depression clinical course, prognosis and treatment outcomes.

Temperament Clusters in Patients With Panic Disorder in Relation to Character Maturity.

This study explored whether temperament profiles are associated with psychological functioning and whether character maturity affects this association in patients with panic disorders (PD). A total of 270 patients with PD were enrolled in this study. Measurements included the Temperament and Character Inventory-revised-short (TCI-RS), a self-report version of the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS-SR), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Cluster analysis was used to define the patients' temperament profiles, and the differences in discrete variables among temperament clusters were calculated using a one-way analysis of variance. An analysis of covariance was conducted to control for the impact of character maturity on psychological functioning among clusters. We identified four temperament clusters of patients with PD. Significant differences in the PDSS-SR, BDI-II, STAI-state, and STAI-trait scores among the four clusters were detected [F(3, 262)=9.16, p<0.001; F(3, 266)=33.78, p<0.001; F(3, 266)=19.12, p<0.001; F(3, 266)=39.46, p<0.001]. However, after controlling for the effect of character maturity, the effect of cluster type was either eliminated or reduced ([STAI-state] cluster type: F(3, 262)=0.94, p>0.05; SD+CO: F(1, 262)=65.95, p<0.001, ηp2 =0.20). This study enabled a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of patients by exploring the configuration of all temperament dimensions together rather than each temperament separately. Furthermore, we revealed that depending on the degree of character maturity, the psychological functioning might differ even within the same temperament cluster. These results imply that character maturity can complement inherently vulnerable temperament expression.

Profile of Your Children's Temperament

Profile of Your Children's Temperament

Temperament Traits in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Relation to Tourette Syndrome and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Introduction: Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Tourette syndrome (TS) are often concurrent. This study explores the temperament profile of complex OCD phenotypes. Methods: A clinical registry recorded demographic data, psychiatric diagnoses, and temperament traits, including novelty seeking (exploratory behaviors), harm avoidance (fear of uncertainty), reward dependence (sentimentality), and persistence (perseverance). Temperament data were accrued from the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI). Participants were divided into (1) OCD only; (2) OCD+ADHD or TS; and (3) OCD+ADHD+TS to compare temperament. Results: Participants include 126 youths with OCD (61.9% male, 88.9% white) between the ages 6 and 18 years (12.7 ± 3.1). Among the three groups, the complex neurodevelopmental disorder group OCD+ADHD+TS expresses the highest novelty seeking and lowest persistence. Harm avoidance is increased in all groups compared to reference controls, irrespective of concurrent ADHD or TS. For the OCD+ADHD+TS group, contamination and washing symptoms have higher novelty seeking (p < 0.01), while counting and ordering have lower novelty seeking (p < 0.05). Harm avoidance is increased with aggressive, somatic, and checking symptoms in OCD only (p < 0.01), while persistence is increased with repeating and counting symptoms in the comorbid groups (OCD+ADHD or TS, OCD+ADHD+TS). Discussion/Conclusion: The complex subtype, OCD+ADHD+TS, is associated with high novelty seeking and low persistence, while high harm avoidance is linked to pediatric OCD irrespective of ADHD or TS co-occurrence. In sum, pediatric OCD with ADHD and TS confers a unique temperament profile, further refining complex phenotypes of pediatric OCD for future research.

Meta-Analytic Review of Temperamental Correlates of the Five-Factor Model and Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology Domains.

There is little and heterogeneous knowledge on the links between the temperamental predispositions of psychopathology and the contemporary dimensional models of psychopathology, such as the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) classification system, which can be aligned with the five-factor model (FFM) of personality. This meta-analysis seeks to expand the temperamental theoretical basis of the HiTOP model by incorporating associations of temperament traits of two temperamental theories measured, respectively, by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) with (a) the FFM's personality domains and (b) HiTOP's five psychopathological spectra. A systematic search was done on Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane Database, and Google Scholar for all articles published in English from January 1990 to August 2020. Because of heterogeneity in the results of almost 70% of studies, pooled estimates of correlation coefficients were calculated using the random-effects method. Risk of bias (low-quality studies) and publication bias are reported. The pooled correlations obtained from the analysis of 35 studies showed that the temperamental profile associated with each FFM domain and HiTOP spectra is distinct. Specifically, TCI-harm avoidance (HA) and all TEMPS temperaments were more strongly related to neuroticism/internalizing, extraversion/low detachment, and conscientiousness/disinhibition. In contrast, TCI-novelty seeking was more strongly related to both disinhibited/antagonistic externalizing and thought disorder. A large body of research supports maladaptive variants of all FFM domains and some psychopathological spectra of HiTOP related to the abnormal-range temperaments.

Context-dependent approach and avoidance behavioral profiles as predictors of psychopathology.

Inhibition (a temperamental profile characterized by elevated levels of avoidance behaviors) is associated with increased likelihood for developing anxiety and depression, whereas exuberance (a temperamental profile characterized by elevated levels of approach behaviors) is associated with increased likelihood for developing externalizing conditions (e.g., attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder). However, not all children who exhibit high levels of approach or avoidance behaviors develop emotional or behavioral problems. In this preregistered study, we assessed context-dependent profiles of approach and avoidance behaviors in 3-year-old children (N=366). Using latent profile analysis, four groups were identified: nonsocial approachers, social approachers, social avoiders, and nonsocial avoiders. Analyses revealed that there were minimal differences in internalizing and externalizing symptoms across the four context-dependent groups. However, exploratory analyses assessed whether high levels of approach or avoidance combined across contexts, similar to findings reported in prior work, were related to psychopathology. Children identified as high in avoidance behavior at 3 years of age were more likely to show internalizing symptoms at 3 years of age but not at 5 years of age. Children high in approach were more likely to meet criteria for anxiety and externalizing disorders by age 5 years. These findings further our understanding of individual differences in how young children adjust their behavior based on contextual cues and may inform methods for identifying children at increased likelihood for the development of emotional and behavioral problems. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Context-dependent approach and avoidance profiles were identified in 3-year-old children using a person-centered approach. Children who were high in approach behavior, regardless of context, at age three had a higher likelihood for developing an anxiety or externalizing disorder by age five. These findings may help identify children at increased risk of developing emotional and behavioral problems.

Impact of Motivation and Temperament in Pre-School and School Setting. A Narrative Review

Motivation and temperament are integral determinants of a child's learning journey and social adaptation in early educational settings. This paper examines how intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors influence engagement, curiosity, and academic outcomes, while also exploring the diverse temperamental profiles, peer interactions, and propensity for leadership that children exhibit. The unique interplay between motivation and temperament has profound implications for classroom dynamics, peer interactions, and the cultivation of foundational leadership traits. Recognizing and harnessing these influences can optimize individual learning experiences, fostering both academic growth and the development of essential life skills in young learners.