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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Personality traits and personality disorders in early onset versus late onset major depression.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the relationship between certain personality disorders and/or personality traits and early onset major depression. METHODS: A total of 400 depressed primary care patients were assessed for personality disorders using the SCID screen and for personality traits using the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP) questionnaire. Early onset was defined as onset of the first episode before the age of 26. Logistic regressions were performed to reveal relationships after adjustment for sex, age and number of previous episodes. RESULTS: Both groups had a similar severity of current illness determined by the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Those with an early onset presented with a more debilitating course, seen in the form of more depressive episodes and previous hospitalisations in spite of their younger age. Early onset was also an independent predictor for avoidant, borderline and paranoid personality disorders. It also predicted increased scores on the KSP scales Psychic anxiety, Psychasthenia, Muscular tension, Suspicion and Irritability, and decreased Socialisation. LIMITATIONS: The evaluation was performed as a self-assessment, subjects had a superimposed major depressive episode when assessed, and subgroups of individuals were not eligible. CONCLUSIONS: Early onset major depression is a predictor for personality pathology and deviant personality traits. A better understanding of the interplay between genetics and environment that underlies this phenomenon will help to improve the long-term course in afflicted individuals.

Adult↗

An update on molecular genetic studies of human personality traits.

Personality is a complex phenotype and people differ considerably when they are evaluated by self-report questionnaires. There is convincing evidence from twin studies that basic personality dimensions in men and women have a considerable genetic component. However, only recently have common genetic polymorphisms been associated with particular personality traits, especially the dopamine D4 receptor with novelty seeking and the serotonin transporter with anxiety-related traits or neuroticism. The current review examines progress in the past few years in molecular personality genetics and focuses on the reasons for difficulties in replicating first findings as well as the prospects for future studies in this area. The molecular genetic structure of human personality is worth studying both for its intrinsic interest in helping us to understand individual differences in human behaviour and the light it will shed on more complex behavioural disorders that are likely to partially share some common genetic variants.

Animals↗

Personality traits and personality disorders.

The structure of personality disorder traits was examined in a sample of 400 undergraduates who completed the personality disorder questionnaire from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID-II). The relations between personality disorder and normal personality traits indexed by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R) were examined. The three-cluster model of personality traits--as described in the DSM scheme--found equivocal support. Exploratory principal components analysis and confirmatory factor analysis found four broad factors of personality disorder that overlapped with normal personality traits: an asthenic factor related to neuroticism; an antisocial factor associated with psychoticism; an asocial factor linked to introversion-extraversion; and an anankastic (obsessive-compulsive) factor. There is growing agreement about the number and type of broad personality disorder dimensions; similar dimensions may be found in clinical and non-clinical samples, suggesting that those people with personality disorders differ quantitatively rather than qualitatively from others; and there is substantial overlap between normal and abnormal personality dimensions.

Adult↗

Personality profiles of cultures: aggregate personality traits.

Personality profiles of cultures can be operationalized as the mean trait levels of culture members. College students from 51 cultures rated an individual from their country whom they knew well (N=12,156). Aggregate scores on Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) scales generalized across age and sex groups, approximated the individual-level 5-factor model, and correlated with aggregate self-report personality scores and other culture-level variables. Results were not attributable to national differences in economic development or to acquiescence. Geographical differences in scale variances and mean levels were replicated, with Europeans and Americans generally scoring higher in Extraversion than Asians and Africans. Findings support the rough scalar equivalence of NEO-PI-R factors and facets across cultures and suggest that aggregate personality profiles provide insight into cultural differences.

Adult↗

[Personality traits of persons with borderline arterial hypertension and patients with essential hypertension].

A study of 402 individuals with marginal arterial hypertension (MAH) and patients with essential hypertension (EH), stages 1, 2 and 3, demonstrated a variety of psychopathologic syndromes (hypochondria, anxiety, hysteria, depression, cardiophobia) in 52.8, 77.3, 82.5 and 80%, respectively. Specific personality features have been identified as pertaining to MAH (hyperthymism, sthenism, demonstrativeness, psychasthenia) and EH (psychasthenia, intraversion, cycloidy).

Character↗

Genetic variation in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis regulatory factor, T-box 19, and the angry/hostility personality trait.

Neurotic personality traits are important factors in several psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior. Here, we have investigated the existence of potential relationships between neurotic personality traits and genetic variation. Non-suicidal parents derived from trios (suicide attempter and both parents) and non-suicidal volunteers, examined by the Neuroticism, Extraversion and Openness (NEO) Personality Inventory - Revised (NEO PI-R), were divided into screening and replication samples. The screening sample (n= 127) was used to select potential relationships between neurotic personality traits and genetic variation among 130 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Screening (analysis of variance) with regard to the personality dimension neuroticism indicated potential relationships at three different loci. More detailed analysis of these three SNPs at NEO PI-R facet level indicated four potential relationships. T-test analysis in the replication sample (n= 617) was used to retest the relationships indicated during screening. One of those relationships was confirmed in the replication sample (P= 0.0052; Bonferroni correction), indicating that genetic variation at the human T-box 19 (TBX19) locus is related to the personality trait angry/hostility. Furthermore, using analysis of haplotypes among trios by transmission disequilibrium test and its extension, the family-based association test, overtransmission of a haplotype GAC at the TBX19 locus was associated with increased angry/hostility scores among suicide attempters (P= 0.009; Bonferroni correction). This is to our knowledge the first report on the association of the angry hostility personality trait with genetic variation at the TBX19 locus, an important regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.

Adult↗

Allelic variants of the tryptophan hydroxylase (A218C) and serotonin 1B receptor (A-161T) and personality traits.

Human personality traits have a considerable hereditary component, and central serotonergic activity is implicated in the personality factors of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). Our population-based association study tested the hypothesis that the tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) A218C and serotonin 1B receptor (HTR1B) A-161T polymorphisms were associated with TPQ personality trait scores in a sample population of 209 young healthy Chinese. No significant differences were demonstrated comparing scores of subjects bearing different TPH or HTR1B genotypes; however, a trend for difference in the novelty seeking score comparing TPH genotype groups was determined for the male population. Our negative findings suggest that the TPH A218C and HTR1B polymorphisms do not play major roles in the determination of TPQ personality traits.

Adult↗

Lack of association between dopamine D4 receptor gene and personality traits.

BACKGROUND: Personality traits have shown considerable heritable components. Association between alleles of a polymorphism in the third exon of the dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) and the personality trait Novelty Seeking has been reported. Recently, in a sample of Swedish non-psychiatric subjects we could not detect any significant relationships between the same polymorphism and Novelty Seeking related scales in the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP). However, there was a tendency in the direction of the proposed association. There were also tentative associations between an exon I 13 bp deletion polymorphism and the personality traits Socialization and Guilt. METHODS: We investigated a new Swedish population-based sample (N = 167) investigated with the KSP for three DRD4 polymorphisms. RESULTS: Neither of the previous results were replicated. Combining the previous and the present samples did not give rise to any significant association between DRD4 polymorphisms and personality scales. CONCLUSIONS: The dopamine D4 receptor gene is probably not of importance to the different personality dimensions as measured by the Karolinska Scales of Personality.

Adult↗

The longitudinal relationship of personality traits and disorders.

Personality disorders are presumed to be stable because of underlying stable and maladaptive personality traits, but while previous research has demonstrated a link between personality traits and personality disorders cross-sectionally, personality disorders and personality traits have not been linked longitudinally. This study explores the extent to which relevant personality traits are stable in individuals diagnosed with 4 personality disorders (schizotypal, borderline, avoidant, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders) and examines the assumption that these personality disorders are stable by virtue of stable personality traits. This assumption was tested via the estimation of a series of latent longitudinal models that evaluated whether changes in relevant personality traits lead to subsequent changes in personality disorders. In addition to offering large consistency estimates for personality traits and personality disorders, the results demonstrate significant cross-lagged relationships between trait change and later disorder change for 3 of the 4 personality disorders studied.

Adult↗

Executive dysfunction and avoidant personality trait in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM-1) and in proximal myotonic myopathy (PROMM/DM-2).

A previous study in proximal myotonic myopathy (PROMM/DM-2) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM-1) using brain positron emission tomography demonstrated a reduced cerebral blood flow in the frontal and temporal regions associated with cognitive impairment. The objective was to investigate further cognitive and behavioural aspects in a new series of patients with DM-1 and PROMM/DM-2. Nineteen patients with genetically determined PROMM/DM-2 and 21 patients with moderately severe DM-1 underwent neuropsychological testing and neuropsychiatric interviews. DM-1 and PROMM/DM-2 patients had significantly lower scores on tests of frontal lobe function compared to controls. Neuropsychiatric interviews demonstrated an avoidant trait personality disorder in both patient groups. Brain single photon emission computed tomography showed frontal and parieto-occipital hypoperfusion. The results suggest that there is a specific cognitive and behavioural profile in PROMM/DM-2 and in DM-1, and that this profile is associated with hypoperfusion in frontal and parieto-occipital regions of the brain.

Adult↗

Five-year follow-up study of adolescents with intact and restored dentitions: personality traits.

The personality traits of 66 of a sample of 70 adolescents aged 19-21 years were re-examined after 5 years by means of a personality inventory (KSP). A total of 15 subjects had intact dentitions (group I), while 13 subjects had had some fillings in their teeth since the first examination (group FI), and 38 subjects had restored dentitions at both examinations (group F). The findings of this study are in agreement with those of the earlier study of Kampe, Edman and Molin (1986). On both occasions the subjects with restored dentitions had higher scores on the Somatic Anxiety and Muscular Tension scales. The differences were more pronounced for the female subjects. With regard to muscular tension, there was a significant interactive effect, with higher values for the female subjects in group F. Individuals with high scores for the Clinical Dysfunction Index (DiII and DiIII) also had the highest scores on the Somatic Anxiety and Muscular Tension scales, thus confirming the validity of the muscle palpation. The hypothesis of a correlation between personality factors and dental-filling therapy was neither accepted nor rejected. The subjects in group F had the highest scores on both occasions on the Somatic Anxiety and Muscular Tension scales, although the subjects in group FI had the lowest scores. Further studies are required, and another 5-year follow-up study of this material could be conclusive.

Adolescent↗

[Addiction and personality traits: sensation seeking, anhedonia, impulsivity].

This study presents the evaluation of three dimensional traits of personality (Sensation Seeking, Anhedonia, Impulsivity) among 65 patients admitted in a psychiatric ward, with or without addictive behaviors. Our objective is to establish that these personality traits are commun to all addictive behaviors and to test the hypothesis that high scores on the three scales are linked to a greater probability of presenting with addictive behaviors. The two most frequent types of addiction were alcoholism and drug abuse. The subjects presenting with one or several addictive behaviors had higher average scores on the three scales. Our results printed in the same direction for the subjects having shown an addictive behavior in their past history. The risk to present with an addictive behavior increased with the total scores of these self-report questionnaires. There was a significant relationship between 3 sub-dimensions on the Sensation Seeking Scale and addictive behavior. Each time sub-scores of boredom susceptibility, disinhibition and thrill and adventure rise by one, the risk to present with an addictive behavior is multiplied by 1.4 for the first two and by 1.3 for the third one. Subjects with high scores on the anhedonia and impulsivity scales respectively show a risk multiplied by 1.6 and 3.3 of developing an addictive behavior. These results of this transverse study confirm the link between addiction behavior and these three personality traits.

Adolescent↗

Association between a promoter dopamine D2 receptor gene variant and the personality trait detachment.

BACKGROUND: Personality traits have shown considerable heritable components. Striatal dopamine D(2) receptor density, as determined by positron-emission tomography, has been associated with detached personality, as assessed by the Karolinska Scales of Personality. A putative functional promoter polymorphism in the dopamine D(2) receptor gene (DRD2), -141C ins/del, has been associated with dopamine D(2) receptor density. METHODS: In this study healthy subjects (n = 235) who filled in at least one of several personality questionnaires (Karolinska Scales of Personality, Swedish Universities Scales of Personality, Health-relevant Five-factor Personality Inventory, and Temperament and Character Inventory) were analyzed with regard to the DRD2 -141C ins/del variant. RESULTS: There was an association (p =.001) between the DRD2 -141C ins/del variant and Karolinska Scales of Personality Detachment scale, indicating higher scores in subjects with the -141C del variant. There were also associations between the DRD2 -141C ins/del variant and a number of Karolinska Scales of Personality and Swedish Universities Scales of Personality Neuroticism-related scales, but of these only Swedish Universities Scales of Personality Lack of Assertiveness scale (p =.001) survived correction for multiple testing. CONCLUSIONS: These results add further support for the involvement of dopamine D(2) receptor in certain personality traits. The results should be treated with caution until replicated.

Genetic Predisposition to Disease↗

[Negativity bias in evaluation of own personality traits in depressed persons].

There have been two views on how depressed people perceive themselves. One argues that they attend excessively to negative aspects of their selves. The other views that the depressed attend evenly to positive and negative sides of themselves, and the nondepressed persons attend more to their positive aspects. This study examined these views of cognitive bias, through a comparison of self-referent judgments of trait adjectives by mildly depressed and nondepressed groups of people. The Beck Depression Inventory was used to measure the severity of depression, and mildly depressed and nondepressed students, 342 in total, made self-referent judgments with a list of trait adjectives. The list consisted of pairs of semantically similar adjectives with contrasting desirability. With negative words, the mildly depressed tended to judge themselves more negatively than the nondepressed control. With positive words, no significant differences were found between the judgments by the two groups. It was concluded that negativity bias in self judgments was characteristic of the depressed persons.

Adult↗

A family study of self-reported personality traits and DSM-III-R personality disorders.

Personality traits and DSM-III-R personality disorders of first-degree relatives of patients with psychoses were studied using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-Revised (PDQ-R), two self-report instruments. The relatives were compared on their scores for the five personality factors in the NEO-FFI, the prevalence of individual DSM-III-R personality disorders, and their scores for each personality disorder scale in the PDQ-R. The results suggest that there is no difference in personality traits and prevalence of personality disorders, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, when relatives of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression are compared to each other. Relatives of patients with "atypical psychosis," psychotic disorders that do not meet DSM-III-R criteria for any specific nonorganic psychotic disorder, may be a distinctive group.

Adult↗

Meta-analysis of the association between a serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and anxiety-related personality traits.

Anxiety-related personality traits, such as NEO neuroticism and TCI/TPQ harm avoidance, have been shown to have significant genetic components. To date, however, no specific genetic variants that contribute to these traits have been conclusively identified. At least 26 studies have investigated a putative association between a functional serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and anxiety-related personality traits. The results of these studies have been inconsistent with some studies finding evidence for an association, and others not. We performed a meta-analysis of all applicable studies investigating this association. In the overall analysis (N = 5,629 subjects), we found suggestive evidence for an association between the 5-HTTLPR short allele (s) and increased anxiety-related personality trait scores (P = 0.087). However, we also found strong evidence for heterogeneity. This heterogeneity is largely explained by substantial variation between the studies in the inventory used. When the analysis was stratified by inventory type, there was a significant association between 5-HTTLPR and NEO neuroticism (P = 0.000016), a non-significant association between 5-HTTLPR and TCI/TPQ harm avoidance (P = 0.166), and no association between 5-HTTLPR and other anxiety-related personality traits (P = 0.944). There was no evidence that these results were either due to publication bias or accounted for by any one single study. We conclude that there is a strong association between the serotonin transporter promoter variant and neuroticism as measured in the NEO personality inventory and that non-replications are largely due to small sample size and the use of different inventories.

Adult↗