Genetic and environmental influences on extreme personality dispositions in adolescent female twins

Background: The objective was to determine whether the pattern of environmental and genetic influences on deviant personality scores differs from that observed for the normative range of personality, comparing results in adolescent and adult female twins. Methods: A sample of 2,796 female adolescent twins ascertained from birth records provided Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire data. The average age of the sample was 17.0 years ( S. D. 2.3). Genetic analyses of continuous and extreme personality scores were conducted. Results were compared for 3,178 adult female twins. Results: Genetic analysis of continuous traits in adolescent female twins were similar to findings in adult female twins, with genetic influences accounting for between 37% and 44% of the variance in Extraversion (Ex), Neuroticism (N), and Social Non-Conformity (SNC), with significant evidence of shared environmental influences (19%) found only for SNC in the adult female twins. Analyses of extreme personality characteristics, defined categorically, in the adolescent data and replicated in the adult female data, yielded estimates for high N and high SNC that deviated substantially (p < .05) from those obtained in the continuous trait analyses, and provided suggestive evidence that shared family environment may play a more important role in determining personality deviance than has been previously found when personality is viewed continuously. However, multiple-threshold models that assumed the same genetic and environmental determinants of both normative range variation and extreme scores gave acceptable fits for each personality dimension. Conclusions: The hypothesis of differences in genetic or environmental factors responsible for N and SNC among female twins with scores in the extreme versus normative ranges was partially supported, but not for Ex.

Relationship between work performance and personality traits in Hong Kong organizational settings

Four hundred and thirty-seven employees from four Hong Kong organizations completed the Traditional Chinese versions of the Fifteen Factor Personality Questionnaire Plus (15FQ+) and the Cross-Cultural Personality Assessment Inventory (CPAI-2) (indigenous scales) and provided objective and memory-based recent performance appraisal scores. A number of significant bivariate correlations were found between personality and performance scores. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that a number of the scales from the 15FQ+ contributed to significantly predicting four of the performance competency dimensions, but that the CPAI-2 indigenous scales contributed no incremental validity in performance prediction over and above the 15FQ+. Results are discussed in the light of previous research and a call made for continued research to further develop and increase the reliability of the Chinese instruments used in the study and to enable generalization of the findings with confidence.

The higher-order factor structures of five personality inventories

This study examined the internal higher-order structures of five personality inventories (the Hogan Personality Inventory, the Occupational Personality Questionnaire, the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, the Personality and Preferences Inventory, Profile Match). A sample of 356 individuals from the UK working population completed various combinations of the five inventories. Overall, the results indicated sensible and interpretable factor structures for the inventories. Cross-inventory factor analyses of the extracted factors revealed a variant of the Big Five model underpinning them, enabling examination of inventory convergence and divergence. Our study also examined and compared representations of the General Factor of Personality in each of the inventories. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Are motivational deficits part of the behavioural phenotype of Down syndrome?

Motivational deficits are generally accepted to be part of the behavioural phenotype associated with Down syndrome (DS). A motivational profile comprising low or inconsistent levels of task persistence, avoidance of challenging activities and over-dependence on adult direction has been described. However, comparisons are usually made between children with DS and those who are developing typically, without the inclusion of samples with intellectual disability (ID) from aetiologies other than DS. Such comparisons are needed to determine the extent to which motivational deficits are specific to DS, as opposed to being a feature of ID generally. Methods: The current study collected data about the personality-motivation profiles of children in three groups matched for mental age. They consisted of 80 typically developing (TD)3–7 year old children, 62 children with DS aged 7–15 years, and 54 children with moderate ID aged 7–15 years. Parents completed the 37-item EZ-Personality Questionnaire (EZPQ; Zigler et al., 2002), a measure of personality-motivational functioning. Results: There were significant differences between TD children and those with ID on all EZPQ scales. In most respects children with DS did not differ significantly from others with moderate ID, although they were rated as having greater expectancy of success and fewer negative reactions. Conclusion: The finding that children with DS are less motivated than TD children of the same mental age is consistent with previous studies in which parents have rated motivation. It seems, however, that motivation difficulties are associated with ID more generally, rather than being specific to those with DS. The study raises questions about phenotypic versus experiential effects on motivation for children with ID.

Impulsivity-related cognition in alcohol dependence: Is it moderated by DRD2/ANKK1 gene status and executive dysfunction?

Perceived impaired control over alcohol use is a key cognitive construct in alcohol dependence that has been related prospectively to treatment outcome and may mediate the risk for problem drinking conveyed by impulsivity in non-dependent drinkers. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether perceived impaired control may mediate the association between impulsivity-related measures (derived from the Short-form Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised) and alcohol-dependence severity in alcohol-dependent drinkers. Furthermore, the extent to which this hypothesized relationship was moderated by genetic risk (Taq1A polymorphism in the DRD2/ANKK1 gene cluster) and verbal fluency as an indicator of executive cognitive ability (Controlled Oral Word Association Test) was also examined. A sample of 143 alcohol-dependent inpatients provided an extensive clinical history of their alcohol use, gave 10ml of blood for DNA analysis, and completed self-report measures relating to impulsivity, impaired control and severity of dependence. As hypothesized, perceived impaired control (partially) mediated the association between impulsivity-related measures and alcohol-dependence severity. This relationship was not moderated by the DRD2/ANKK1 polymorphism or verbal fluency. These results suggest that, in alcohol dependence, perceived impaired control is a cognitive mediator of impulsivity-related constructs that may be unaffected by DRD2/ANKK1 and neurocognitive processes underlying the retrieval of verbal information

Predictors of violent reconvictions and mortality among impulsive alcoholic violent offenders: A prospective study

Acts of violence lays a great burden on humankind. The negative effects of violence could be relieved by accurate prediction of violent recidivism. However, prediction of violence has been considered an inexact science hampered by scare knowledge of its causes. The study at hand examines risk factors of violent reconvictions and mortality among 242 Finnish male violent offenders exhibiting severe alcoholism and severe externalizing personality disorders. The violent offenders were recruited during a court-ordered 2-month inpatient mental status examination between 1990—1998. Controls were 1210 individuals matched by sex-, age-, and place of birth. After a 9-year non-incarcerated follow-up criminal register and mortality data were obtained from national registers. Risk analyses were applied to estimate odds and relative risk for recidivism and mortality. Risk variables that were included in the analyses were antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), a comorbidity of ASPD and BPD, childhood adversities, alcohol consumption, age, and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) genotype. In addition to risk analyses, temperament dimensions (Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire [TPQ]) were assessed. The prevalence of recidivistic acts of violence (32%) and mortality (16%) was high among the offenders. Severe personality disorders and childhood adversities increased the risk for recidivism and mortality both among offenders (OR 2.0–10.4) and in comparison between offenders and controls (RR 4.3–53.0). Offenders having BPD and a history of childhood maltreatment emerged as a group with a particularly poor prognosis. MAOA altered the effects of alcohol consumption and ageing. Alcohol consumption (+2.3%) and age (–7.3%) showed significant effects on the risk for violent reconvictions among the high activity MAOA (MAOA-H) offenders, but not among the low activity MAOA (MAOA-L) offenders. The offenders featured temperament dimensions of high novelty seeking, high harm avoidance, and low reward dependence matching Cloninger’s definition of explosive personality. The fact that the risk for recidivistic acts of violence and mortality accumulated into clearly defined subgroups supports future efforts to provide for evidence based violence prevention and risk assessments among violent offenders.

高中生家庭功能与情绪问题的关系及人格的中介作用

The aim of this research is to explore the characteristics of family functioning，personality and their relation to anxiety and depression in high school students. A total of 914 high school students were assessed with The Chinese Family Assessment Instrument and Five -factor Personality Questionnaire and Mental Health Test and Middle School Students Depression Questionnaire. The result indicates, 1. The family functioning and Personality were all significant difference to school, gender, mother’s education and father’s education. 2. There were school, gender, mother’s education and father’s education differences in anxiety of students. 3. There were school, mother’s education and father’s education differences in depression of students. 4. Family functioning were predictive factor directly to anxiety of students, personality serves in part as medium between family functioning and anxiety of students. 5. Family functioning were predictive factor directly to the high school students’ depression, personality serves in part as medium between family functioning and depression of students. 6. The different schools had special features in relation models between family functioning, personality and anxiety of students. 7. The different schools had special features in relation models between family functioning, personality and depression of students.

Capacidade para o trabalho e função executiva

O presente trabalho pretende caracterizar a associação existente entre a função cognitiva executiva e a capacidade para o trabalho em profissionais de saúde (médicos e enfermeiros) e profissionais de educação (professores). A função cognitiva executiva é definida como uma série de processos cognitivos de ordem superior (capacidade de planeamento, raciocínio abstrato, flexibilidade cognitiva e resolução de problemas) determinantes no controlo e coordenação de operações cognitivas e fundamentais na organização e monitorização do comportamento humano. A integridade destas funções, são determinantes para a realização adequada de tarefas da vida diária, incluindo o contexto organizacional. A capacidade para trabalho é um forte preditor do desempenho laboral, sendo definida como a autoavaliação que o trabalhador faz do seu bem-estar no presente e no futuro próximo e da capacidade para assegurar o seu trabalho tendo em conta as exigências do mesmo, a saúde e os recursos psicológicos e cognitivos disponíveis. Assim, com o objetivo de compreender a relação entre estas duas variáveis em médicos, enfermeiros e professores, no presente trabalho utilizamos uma amostra composta por 218 sujeitos, sendo que 93 são enfermeiros, 100 professores (ensino secundário) e 25 médicos. Para avaliar as funções cognitivas executivas, nomeadamente a flexibilidade cognitiva e raciocínio abstrato não-verbal utilizamos o Halstead Category Test (HCT). Para avaliar a capacidade de planeamento e resolução de problemas, utilizamos a Torre de Hanoi (TH). Para determinamos o valor da capacidade para o trabalho, utilizamos o índice de capacidade para o trabalho. No sentido de controlar variáveis que poderiam influenciar esta relação, utilizamos Questionário Geral de Saúde (GHQ-12), escala de ansiedade-traço, Questionário de Personalidade de Eysenck, escala de satisfação no trabalho e uma questão dicotómica (Sim/Não) sobre o trabalho por turnos. Pela análise dos resultados, verificamos que alterações nas funções cognitivas executivas poderão prejudicar a capacidade para o trabalho. No entanto, verificamos que variáveis como a idade, trabalho por turnos, personalidade e saúde mental poderão exercer um efeito moderador desta relação. Por fim, em comparação com médicos, enfermeiros e professores, verificamos que os médicos e enfermeiros apresentam um maior prejuízo nas funções cognitivas executivas que os professores, mas não na capacidade para o trabalho. Como conclusão, o nosso trabalho contribuiu para uma melhor compreensão da ação das funções executivas em contexto laboral (em particular na área da saúde e educação), contribuindo para o desenvolvimento e implementação de programas de promoção de saúde laboral em contexto organizacional.

Traços de personalidade, estados emocionais e condução : um estudo comparativo entre condutores de ambos os sexos

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde (Desenvolvimento Humano e Social), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, 2014

Associations between schizotypy and belief in conspiracist ideation

Previous studies have reported associations between conspiracist ideation and domain-level facets of schizotypy, but less is known about associations with lower-order facets. In the present study, 447 adults completed measures of conspiracist ideation and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), consisting of nine subscales grouped into four domains. Results of a multiple regression showed that two domains of the SPQ significantly predicted conspiracist ideation, but multicollinearity was a limiting factor. In a second regression, we found that the subscales of Odd Beliefs or Magical Thinking and Ideas of Reference significantly predicted conspiracist ideation, without any multicollinearity constraints. We interpret these results as implicating two specific lower-order facets of schizotypy in belief in conspiracy theories. We further contrast the present results with previous studies indicating associations between conspiracist ideation and paranormal beliefs.

Assessing the psychometric properties of dream content questionnaires

The present study was the first of its kind to systematically explore the psychometric properties of dream content questionnaires as measures of dream experience. One hundred and six University students filled out the Dream Content Questionnaire (DCQ) and kept a 14-day dream diary on two separate occasions, in addition to filling out the NEO-PI-R and Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire and measures of spatial ability and imaginativeness. The DCQ's reliability was acceptable, as was its discriminant and construct validity. Six of eight predicted relationships between trait personality and DCQ reported dream content were significant. In contrast, dream diaries showed instability over time and were unrelated to personality traits. The DCQ's concurrent validity could not be adequately appraised due to the inconsistency in dream diary content over time. The results suggest that questionnaires may be used to measure dream experience; however, the precise utility of dream questionnaires remains unclear. The findings raise important questions concerning measures of dream experience.

Adaptaci?? al catal?? de l'escala d'avaluaci?? de la personalitat HSPQ. ' Adaptaci??n al catal??n de la escala de evaluaci??n de la personalidad HSPQ'

Adaptar el test de personalidad HSPQ de R. B. Cattell al contexto ling????stico de Catalunya para poder disponer de un test m??s adecuado a la realidad de la poblaci??n adolescente catalanohablante.. Muestra prepiloto: 24 ni??os y 24 ni??as de 12 a 17 a??os. Muestra piloto: 323 ni??os de 12 a 17 a??os. Muestra definitiva: 817 ni??os y 534 ni??as de 12 a 17 a??os catalanohablantes de 6?? de EGB a los tres primeros cursos de FP o BUP, escogidos al azar de entre las escuelas que solicitan el test en catal??n.. Desarrolla un marco te??rico sobre las teor??as de la personalidad, la medida de ??sta mediante los principales tests y el enfoque multivariante de la personalidad de R. B. Cattell. Realiza una descripci??n del HSPQ como instrumento de evaluaci??n. Para la adaptaci??n del test al catal??n, se realiza una primera traducci??n por parte de ling??istas y especialistas en psicometr??a. Aplica el test a una muestra prepiloto y modifica lo que afecta a la validez aparente y de contenido de los ??tems. Aplica el cuestionario modificado a una muestra representativa y realiza la correlaci??n de los ??tems y el an??lisis de fiabilidad en la escala total para identificar los items con baja consistencia interna. Aplica el cuestionario definitivo a una muestra representativa. Tipifica la prueba, construye los baremos y realiza un estudio diferencial en funci??n de las varaibles curso acad??mico, edad y sexo. Compara las puntuaciones obtenidos en la muestra catalana con la muestra del test original.. High School Personality Questionnaire.. Indices de tendencia central. An??lisis de ??tems. Indices de correlaci??n. Indice de fiabilidad alfa de Cronbach. Prueba T de Student y an??lisis de varianza.. Los resultados de los ??ndices de correlaci??n item-escala, la fiabilidad alfa de Conbrach en las escalas y las correlaciones entre escalas del test adaptado son muy parecidos al test original. Respecto al estudio diferencialy en comparaci??n con la muestra del test original, hay coincidencias respecto a las diferencias intersexo, pero el an??lisis de los perfiles de la muestra catalana est?? en otra linea: Se encuentran diferencias en las variables curso y edad. En relaci??n al sexo, en la muestra catalana se encuentra un nivel m??s alto de excitabilidad y impaciencia en los ni??os que en las ni??as.. La similitud del HSPQ catal??n con el HSPQ original en cuanto a consistencia interna, fiabilidad de las escalas, estudio correlacional e identificaci??n de diferencias significativas entre sexos demuestra que el instrumento adaptado es adecuado para evaluar con eficacia la personalidad de los j??venes y adolescentes catalanes..

Aproximación al estudio de la personalidad de las adolescentes.

Profundizar en el conocimiento de los adolescentes para comprenderlos mejor y ayudarlos a ser maduros. 2287 alumnos de edades comprendidas entre los 11 y 18 años, pertenecientes a 12 centros privados, 11 femeninos y 1 masculino. Explica las teorías de la personalidad, el análisis científico de la personalidad de Raymond B. Cattell y el manual para la aplicación del test de Cattell y realiza un estudio experimental de la personalidad. Cuestionario High School Personality Questionnaire (HSPQ). La prueba ha sido aplicada con el objetivo de conocer los rasgos de la personalidad y para ello, se analiza el perfil de un caso en particular. 1) El perfil de una niña de octavo curso se presenta con una inteligencia de nueve puntos sobre diez, que es lo máximo, se mantiene en la media en los factores A, esquizotimia-ciclotimia; C o fuerza del yo; I, realista-sensible a lo estético y Q, fuerza del super yo. Con una ligerísima disminución en dependencia del grupo. A un cuarto de sigma una J individualista. 2) En el resto se aprecian grandes oscilaciones sobrepasando los dos sigmas en el D y C. Una sigma y media en G y H, una sigma en E, F y Q. 3) La máxima puntuación en el factor D se aprecia en un temperamento muy excitable, unido a una gran inseguridad afectiva. Parece ser que este nivel está determinado por la herencia. Muy nerviosa, exigente, impaciente, se siente herida si no ocupa una posición importante. 4) Por el E negativo es sumisa y dependiente. Este factor es propio de los neuróticos compulsivos. El F negativo refleja el nivel de inhibición impuesto sobre el individuo durante su niñez. Puede deberse a la disciplina o situación familiar. Es deprimida, no expansiva y soñadora. 5) Por el G negativo se presentan abscesos a la cólera. El super yo débil, inconstante, falta de control y de ideales. 6) En la H negativa se puede apreciar un alto grado de herencia, siendo su mayor característica la timidez y es propio del temperamento esquizofrénico. Muy susceptible a la amenaza. También se aprecia poco rendimiento escolar. El hombre, principalmente a través de los primeros años y en la adolescencia va configurando su yo. Independientemente de todo lo que le rodea ha de aprender a usar su libertad para afirmar más su voluntad y responsabilidad ante Dios y ante los demás hombres. Liberarse de lo instintivo para llegar a su supremo anhelo ser. Será un trabajo gozoso que llenará toda su vida, para que al final quede libre de impedimento.

Introducción al estudio de la personalidad de las adolescentes : estudio experimental.

Realizar un estudio experimental para conocer la personalidad de los adolescentes. 2287 alumnos comprendidos entre los 12 y 18 años procedentes de 12 centros privados, 11 femeninos y 1 masculino pertenecientes a 6 ciudades españolas. Expone las fases históricas del estudio de la personalidad, los métodos para su análisis y las teorías de la misma, explica las estructuras que intervienen en la personalidad según Raymond B. Cattell y el Test High School Personality Questionnaire ideado por dicho autor, después realiza un trabajo experimental sobre la personalidad de los adolescentes aplicando el citado test. Test High School Personality Questionnaire. El test se aplicó en 12 colegios de diferentes ciudades de España, y a partir de los datos estadísticos de la muestra general se analizan solamente los sujetos de una muestra parcial, es decir, los colegios femeninos de Madrid y Salamanca, con el fin de examinar los rasgos de personalidad de las alumnas de Educación General Básica (EGB). 1) En sexto de EGB se observa una mayor igualdad de inteligencia entre las niñas de Madrid, mientras que en las de Salamanca hay más dispersión. En el factor C, fuerza del yo, se aprecia también una gran diferencia, pues se da con mayor fuerza en las madrileñas. Asimismo, jovialidad, alegría y sociabilidad son características más acentuadas en las alumnas de Madrid. Hay una fuerza del super yo menos acusada en las chicas de Salamanca, y es que el ambiente de Madrid configura profundamente la personalidad de estas chicas, dándole unas cualidades muy diferentes a las de Salamanca. Las madrileñas tienen una carencia de conflictos internos, mientras que las salmantinas poseen cierta tensión érgica. 2) En séptimo de EGB existe mayor dispersión de la inteligencia en las salmantinas. lo mismo ocurre con el factor excitabilidad, donde hay mayor dispersión en Salamanca. La fuerza del super yo es mayor en las madrileñas, son más aventureras, mundanas y despreocupadas. Asimismo son más autosuficientes y tienen un sentido de autocontrol más desarrollado que las salmantinas. 3) En octavo de EGB, la fuerza del super yo es más alta en Madrid, justamente con una mayor dispersión en Salamanca. También presentan una mayor dominancia las madrileñas, a la vez que una mayor surgencia y autosuficiencia. 1) Las teorías de personalidad son múltiples pero dentro de ellas, las factorialistas parecen ser las más completas para llegar a un conocimiento científico más profundo acerca de la personalidad. 2) El HSPQ de Cattell es apto para estudiar la personalidad de los adolescentes debido a las características que posee.

Contribución al conocimiento de la personalidad : estudio de adolescentes femeninas.

Realizar un estudio experimental para conocer la personalidad de los adolescentes. 2287 alumnos comprendidos entre los 11 y 18 años procedentes de 12 centros privados, 11 femeninos y 1 masculino pertenecientes a 6 ciudades españolas. Analiza los aspectos más significativos de la personalidad y después realiza un trabajo experimental sobre la personalidad de los adolescentes aplicando el test High School Personality Questionnaire de B. Cattell. Test High School Personality Questionnaire. El test se aplicó en 12 colegios de diferentes ciudades de España, y a partir de los datos estadísticos de la muestra general se analizan solamente los sujetos de una muestra parcial, es decir, dos colegios femeninos de Zamora, con el fin de examinar los rasgos de personalidad de las alumnas de Educación General Básica (EGB) procedentes de niveles sociales diferentes. 1) La primera diferencia entre las alumnas de dos grupos de sexto de EGB está en el factor B, es decir, en la inteligencia. El nivel económico y social influye en el desarrollo mental. En general, los niveles económico-sociales elevados gozan de un nivel cultural también superior, ofreciendo a sus miembros mayores posibilidades de desarrollo, mayor número de estímulos culturales. 2) Lo mismo ocurre en el factor E, sumisión-dominancia, es superior en el centro de nivel social elevado. Se sabe que la dominancia tiende a estar positivamente correlacionada con el status social. También es superior el factor F, expansividad, con sus manifestaciones de extroversión, expresividad, entusiasmo y alegría. 3) Respecto a los niveles de séptimo de EGB de los mismos centros, apenas existen diferencias. Aunque aparecen más elevadas en el grupo de la clase social alta el facto Q2 que es autosuficiencia y el factor O que es la tendencia a la culpabilidad. Por lo que serán personas con características de timidez, sensibles, exigentes y con síntomas fóbicos. 1) Mientras que el grupo de clase social alta se muestra elevado en autosuficiencia que es el factor Q3, el de clase social baja es superior en el factor D, es decir, en excitabilidad. Ambos factores no están determinados enteramente por el entorno. También sobresale en el grupo de clase baja el factor G, que es la fuerza del super-yo. 2) Es posible que el aumento de edad lleve consigo una mayor estabilidad y consolidación de la personalidad y como consecuencia se dejen sentir en menor grado las influencias de la clase social en séptimo curso.