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PubMed2004

Temperament and character profiles of patients with tension-type headache and migraine.

The aim of this present study was to evaluate the temperament and character profiles of persons with tension-type headache (TTH) and migraine, and to compare the results with those of healthy controls. The study population consisted of 81 patients with TTH (60 female, 21 male) and 56 patients with migraine (34 female, 17 male) aged 18-50 years, according to the criteria of the International Headache Society with age and gender - matched healthy control subjects (54 female, 28 male). All participants were instructed to complete a self-administered 240-item temperament and character inventory (TCI) questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The TCI assesses four dimensions of temperament, namely, novelty seeking (NS), harm avoidance (HA), reward dependence (RD), and persistence (P), and three dimensions of character, being self-directedness (SD), cooperativeness (C) and self-transcendence (ST). According to the TCI biosocial model, the temperament dimension HA is suggested to indicate central serotonergic turnover, which is further correlated with depressive state. It was found that mean BDI scores were significantly higher in patients with TTH and migraine than in those of the controls. The BDI scores were positively correlated with HA scores (r = 0.295, P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with SD (r = -0.386, P < 0.001) and C scores (r = -0.164, P= 0.016). Multivariate analysis showed that BDI scores had significant covariation for HA, SD and C. Despite using the BDI score as a covariate, TTH patients had higher HA scores (P = 0.01) than did the control subjects. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding main NS, RD, P, SD, C and ST scores. Based on the main results of this study, it is suggested that higher serotonergic activity related to HA scores in TTH patients and their relationship with depressive symptomatology supports the role of central serotonergic involvement in TTH.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Personality disorder and the Temperament and Character Inventory in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of personality disorders in a group of elderly patients without an organic mental disorder and to examine the relationship between the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and personality disorder symptoms in psychogeriatric clinical practice. METHOD: A total of 91 subjects completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R personality questionnaire and the 125-item TCI. RESULTS: Of the 91 subjects, 34 individuals (31%) had at least one DSM-III-R personality disorder diagnosis, with avoidant, dependent and paranoid personality disorder being the most common. The trends and correlations between the temperament and character dimensions and the correlations between individual personality disorder symptoms and the dimensions were similar to those in the original model. The most significant findings were the strong negative correlations of the character scores of self-directedness and co-operativeness with the total number of personality disorder symptoms, and the fact that the self-directedness scores predicted the number of personality disorder diagnoses. CONCLUSION: The reported prevalence rate is comparable to studies of both younger and older patient populations using similar methodology. The TCI provides a useful framework for further research on personality disorders in the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Temperament, character and perceived parental rearing in healthy adults: two related concepts?

The goal of this study was to test for relationships between personality according to Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and perceived parental rearing under consideration of cognitive distortions as confounding variables. Five hundred and forty healthy volunteers completed the TCI, the EMBU questionnaire (assessing perceived parental rearing), and the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale. The data were subjected to Pearson correlations, partial correlations, multiple regression, and factor analyses. Gender-specific relationships were found between parental rearing and both the temperament and the character dimensions. The factor structure of the TCI remained unchanged irrespective of the inclusion of the parental rearing factors. Since environmental factors (e.g., parental rearing) influence both temperament (supposed to be genetically determined) and character dimensions, the focus should be on the interaction between both aspects through the life span.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The impact of ADHD and autism spectrum disorders on temperament, character, and personality development.

OBJECTIVE: The authors describe personality development and disorders in relation to symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders. METHOD: Consecutive adults referred for neuropsychiatric investigation (N=240) were assessed for current and lifetime ADHD and autism spectrum disorders and completed the Temperament and Character Inventory. In a subgroup of subjects (N=174), presence of axis II personality disorders was also assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SCID-II). RESULTS: Patients with ADHD reported high novelty seeking and high harm avoidance. Patients with autism spectrum disorders reported low novelty seeking, low reward dependence, and high harm avoidance. Character scores (self-directedness and cooperativeness) were extremely low among subjects with neuropsychiatric disorders, indicating a high overall prevalence of personality disorders, which was confirmed with the SCID-II. Cluster B personality disorders were more common in subjects with ADHD, while cluster A and C disorders were more common in those with autism spectrum disorders. The overlap between DSM-IV personality disorder categories was high, and they seem less clinically useful in this context. CONCLUSIONS: ADHD and autism spectrum disorders are associated with specific temperament configurations and an increased risk of personality disorders and deficits in character maturation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The relevance of the analyst's character and attitudes to his work.

This paper is intended to sensitize analysts to the role of their character in analytic technique. The relation of character to countertransference, its role in analytic style, in the introduction of parameters, and in transference neurosis, will be elaborated. The problem of matching and of accounting for our failures will illustrate the complex meshing of character with more traditional factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Ethics in Christianity and health care: can "character" be defined in this interdisciplinary course?

OBJECTIVE: To describe a unique interdisciplinary ethics course that incorporates elements of character into a decision-making model. METHODS: The Ethics in Christianity and Health Care course is divided into two sections: ethics in Christianity and ethics in health care. The first section comprises the initial 30% of the course, and the second portion spans the latter 70%. Character traits of ethical persons are described in the second section of the course and are then used in an adapted decision-making model. A scenario from a nontraditional Doctor of Pharmacy student is included to illustrate this decision-making process. Texts, assignments, and assessments are also discussed briefly. SUMMARY: This course provides a framework within which ethical relationships are described and discussed. The character traits delineated in the article offer a logical approach when solving ethical dilemmas.

Character↗
PubMed2004

Linguistic styles and complementarities in analyzing character.

This paper discusses and illustrates some technical implications of D. Liberman's contributions to character analysis. Psychoanalysis is an extended conversation, and character structure is expressed linguistically as part of an interactive linguistic field. Liberman's notions of linguistic styles and communicative interaction define a unique analytic surface from which to examine the syntactic, semantic and pragmatic aspects of character. The presence of a rigid and defensive linguistic style reflects resistance and communicative impasse within the transference and countertransference matrix. A fully interactive communicative experience integrates all aspects of the conversation and allows both participants to take part in a shared semantic field, the precondition to the generation of new meanings. Liberman suggests responding to miscommunication by means of a methodical linguistic attitude. Various such complementary responses are explored through several vignettes, with a particular focus on the interplay of the epic and narrative modes.

Character↗
PubMed2004

Genetic and environmental structure of Cloninger's temperament and character dimensions.

The multivariate genetic and environmental structure of Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was investigated in a sample of 617 pairs of adolescent and young adult twins from Japan. Additive genetic factors accounted for 22% to 49% of the variability on all TCI temperament scales. Although the theory predicts lower heritability for the character scales, all character subscales had a substantial genetic contribution, and nonshared environmental influences accounted for the remainder. Multivariate genetic analyses showed that several subscales used to define one dimension shared a common genetic basis with subscales defining others. Using the degree of shared genetic influence as the basis to rearrange the TCI subscales into new dimensions, it was possible to create genetically independent scales. The implications for personality measurement, theory, and molecular genetic research are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Soluble interleukin 2 receptor levels, temperament and character in formerly depressed suicide attempters compared with normal controls.

An imbalance of the immune system and mixed personality profiles in suicide attempters have been reported. As suicidal behavior is common in patients with psychiatric disorders within the spectrum of depressive features, in this study we measured soluble interleukin-2 receptor concentrations in plasma (sIL-2R) and investigated temperament and character profile and their potential correlation in formerly depressed patients with a history of suicide attempt. We studied sIL-2R levels in plasma and personality characteristics (using Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory [TCI]) of formerly depressed patients who had attempted suicide a mean of 3 years previously (n = 25), and age and gender matched normal controls (n = 25). There was no significant difference in sIL-2R levels between formerly depressed suicide attempters and age and gender matched normal controls (0.23 ng/ml +/- 0.25 vs. 0.19 ng/ml +/- 0.16). When compared to normal controls, suicide attempt patients had a significantly higher score on the temperament dimension "harm avoidance" and a lower score on the character dimension "self-directedness." No significant correlation was found between sIL-2R values and TCI dimensions. We propose that the liability to suicidal behavior among suicide attempters susceptible to depressive symptomatology may be related to high harm avoidance and low self-directedness.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Construct validity of the MacAndrew Scale: secondary psychopathic and dysthymic-neurotic character orientations among adolescent male misdemeanor offenders.

The empirical validity of the MacAndrew Scale was investigated in 200 adolescent males convicted of misdemeanor offenses who were classified according to their pattern of alcohol intoxication. Classification results were comparable to those from studies of adult men--true positive = 80%, false negative = 20%, true negative = 81% and false positive = 19%. An empirical cluster analysis of factor scores from the California Psychological Inventory yielded 14 personality types. About 56% of these cases resembled two character orientations (Emotional Extraversion or Emotional Introversion) that were hypothesized by MacAndrew to mediate addiction-proneness among males. However, 38.7% of these subjects were not alcohol misusers. The hypothesis that Emotional Introverts tend to be classified as false negatives was not supported--true positive = 79% and false negative = 21%. Although MacAndrew's formulation of two character orientations has heuristic value, the present study found alcohol misuse among adolescents with other personality characteristics. Studies of nonoffender adolescent males were recommended to clarify the MacAndrew Scale's sensitivity to the character orientation Emotional Introvert. Consistent with earlier research, the present study found no evidence of high levels of emotional tension in the form of anxiety or depression among adolescent alcohol misusers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Adapted character styles of Vietnam veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

A total of 189 male Vietnam veterans who were admitted to a specialized inpatient treatment program were evaluated using the Millon Clinical Multiphasic Personality Inventory to assess character styles. The veterans were assessed for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder by using a subscale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and 72% of the patients were classified as having Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The character styles of passive-aggressive, schizoid, avoidant, and borderline were significantly associated with these patients. The most common 2-point profile was passive-aggressive and avoidant (8-2 or 2-8) and was significantly related to the diagnosis. While drug and alcohol abuse were common problem areas for the entire sample, the profile of patients with Posttraumatic Stress was different from those of substance abusers. These results indicate that treating Vietnam veterans with this disorder requires adopting strategies which include a character style focus as well as a symptom focus.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

Correlations between the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Self-rating Depression Scale among Japanese Students.

The Temperament and Character Inventory measures four dimensions of temperament and three of character. The 125-item short version and the Self-rating Depression Scale were administered to 306 Japanese students. Their scores on the latter were significantly highly correlated with the scores on both temperament and character scales, positively correlated with Harm-Avoidance score, and negatively correlated with Self-directedness and Cooperativeness scores. It is suggested that scores on depression were related to Harm-Avoidance, particularly to fatigability, and immaturity of the autonomous self and cooperative interpersonal relationship.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Temperament, character, and eating attitudes in Japanese college women.

The present study investigated associations between dimensions of personality characteristics and eating attitudes in Japanese college women. 91 college women with a mean age of 20.7 yr. (SD=2.3 yr.), attending a School of Nursing or a School for Kindergarten Teachers, voluntarily responded to the Japanese version of the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Eating Attitudes Test. A significant positive correlation was found between the scores on the Temperament and Character Inventory subscale of Harm Avoidance and the Eating Attitudes Test total scores (Spearman p = .24, p = .02) and the scores on the Eating Attitudes Test subscale of Food Preoccupation (Spearman p = .33, p =.002). The scores on the Temperament and Character Inventory subscale of Self-directedness showed significant negative correlations with the Eating Attitudes Test total scores (Spearman p = -.35, p = .001) and the scores on the Eating Attitudes Test subscales of Dieting (Spearman p = -.29, p = .005) and Food Preoccupation (Spearman p = -.43, p = .0001). The present results suggest that Japanese college women who score high on Harm Avoidance and low on Self-directedness may be more likely to develop inappropriate eating attitudes.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Further development of the Temperament and Character Inventory.

The Temperament and Character Inventory is an internationally used personality questionnaire based on Cloninger's psychobiological theory of personality. Given some limitations of Version 9 a revised version was developed. The structural equivalence of the two versions was demonstrated from a cross-cultural perspective with 309 and 173 healthy volunteers from Sweden and Germany, respectively, who completed both versions in one session. In testing for the replicability of the factors across both samples as well as across both versions, an orthogonal Procrustes rotation method was used. The reliability coefficients for the revision were higher than the former version for both samples. The factor structures of the inventory remain highly equivalent across cultures and across versions. The results indicate a cross-cultural transferability of the Temperament and Character dimensions of the inventory. The stability and the validity of the 7-factor model of personality, as suggested by Cloninger, are supported. The Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised represents an important and useful method for the assessment of personality.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

The psychotherapy of character disorder.

Patients suffering from character disorder are often rejected as unsuitable for psychotherapy. Those with anxiety and depression often seek help, and should be assessed for their potential to be helped by a carefully structured long term psychotherapeutic relationship controlled by the therapist to reduce acting out behaviour. The therapist acts throughout as a model for the patient. As the patient develops basic trust in the therapist, identification develops and a major sustained improvement can occur. The therapy described is current-behaviour orientated and the importance of clear, unambiguous communication, particularly verbal communications, is stressed. The principles of therapy are applicable to all contacts with character-disordered patients. Briefly described is the long term therapy of two patients with hysterical personality disorders and acting-out behaviour, as examples of one type of the wide variety of character disorders that can be treated, and where the nine year follow up was adequate to ensure that improvement was sustained.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The "exceptions" reviewed. The formation and deformation of the privileged character.

The "exception" is one of the three character-types Freud (1916) identified in a now-classic early contribution to psychoanalytic character studies. The term has since been applied to various clinical entities with different theoretical implications. This paper explores and amplifies the concept of the "exception" and the "exception" as a special category of varied privileged characters. The paper re-examines Freud's and later formulations in the context of contemporary psychoanalytic thought.

Character↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of temperament and character profiles of anesthesiologists and surgeons: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Given the high levels of stress in anesthesiologists and also their close working liaison with surgeons, it may be worthwhile to compare the personality profiles of these two groups of professionals. AIM: To compare the personality profiles of surgeons and anesthesiologists, using a well-standardized and validated instrument. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Survey (cross-sectional) on surgeons and anesthesiologists working in several medical institutes in India. MATERIAL & METHODS: The self-report Temperament and Character Inventory, 125-item version (TCI-125) was mailed out to an incidental sample of surgeons and anesthesiologists working in medical institutes in India. Of the 200 questionnaires sent (100 to anesthesiologists and surgeons each), 93 completed responses were returned (46 anesthesiologists, 47 surgeons; return rate 46.5%). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student's unpaired 't' test; P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean scores of anesthesiologists vis-a-vis surgeons on the various temperament dimensions were Novelty seeking: 8.6 vs. 9.2; Harm avoidance: 7.3 vs. 8.1; Reward dependence: 8.1 vs. 8.0; and Persistence: 3.0 vs. 3.1, respectively. Similar scores for the character dimensions were Self-directedness: 16.9 vs. 15.9; Cooperativeness: 17.5 vs. 16.5; and Self-transcendence: 7.0 vs. 6.7, respectively. There was no significant difference between the surgeons and anesthesiologists on any of the temperament and character variables of personality chosen for the study. CONCLUSION: Personality measures did not differ significantly between surgeons and anesthesiologists in this preliminary investigation. If replicated on a larger and more representative sample, the findings have clinical relevance to improve the working relationship between these two groups of closely working professionals.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Accentuations of character in adolescents with infantile cerebral palsy].

A questionnaire was used to investigate 102 adolescents aged 14 to 18 suffering from infantile cerebral paralysis (spastic diplegia) with various degrees of motor disturbances. Neurasthenic, psychasthenic and sensitive types of character accentuation were most prevalent in these patients (p less than 0.05). Unstable type of character accentuation is also frequently occurring. The degree of motor disorders had a major impact on shaping and fixation of astheno-neurotic accentuation traits. Emotional experience of the cosmetic defect influenced fixation of the sensitive type traits. The new principles of organization of psychoprophylactic assistance and psychotherapeutic aid to these patients with respect to any "fragile links" in their characters are put forward.

Adolescent↗