Analysis of relationships between personality factors and the risk of Eating Disorders

Introduction: Regarding the origin of Eating Disorders, different psychological variables such as the personality, have been identified as risk factors for the onset and subsequent development of these pathologies. This study aimed to analyse the relationships between personality and different risk variables for the development of ED in the population of female students without disorders. Method: Participants included 627 women, Spanish university students, who completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) and the Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Correlation and regression analyses were conducted in order to observe patterns of common variation among the variables, and to determine the contribution of the personality traits in the explanation of the variables. Results: Neuroticism correlated significantly with all scales and is the main predictor of the risk scales (drive for thinness, bulimia and body dissatisfaction), and the seven psychological scales. The remaining factors showed negative correlations with all of the scales. Extraversion was the main predictor variable in the explained variance of interpersonal insecurity and interpersonal alienation. In addition, conscientiousness and agreeableness demonstrated an effect on different scales in combination with other factors. Conclusion: The study sustained the importance of personality in the risk of developing ED. Neuroticism is the factor that is most closely related to the risk variables and psychological constructs which are conceptually relevant in the development and maintenance of these disorders. The study of personality should help in identifying at-risk populations, and will enable adopting solutions aimed at the prevention of ED.

Introducción: En el origen de los trastornos alimentarios han sido identificadas diferentes variables psicológicas como factores de riesgo, como la personalidad, para el inicio y posterior desarrollo de estas patologías. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar las relaciones entre la personalidad y diferentes variables de riesgo para el desarrollo de trastornos alimentarios, en la población de mujeres universitarias sin trastornos. Método: Las participantes fueron 627 mujeres, estudiantes universitarias españolas, que completaron el Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) y el Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Se realizaron análisis de correlación y regresión para observar los patrones de variación común entre las variables y para determinar la contribución de los rasgos de personalidad en la explicación de las variables. Resultados: El neuroticismo correlacionó significativamente con todas las escalas, y fue la principal variable predictiva en la varianza explicada de las escalas de riesgo (obsesión por la delgadez, bulimia e insatisfacción corporal), y siete escalas psicológicas. Los rasgos de personalidad restantes mostraron correlaciones negativas con todas las escalas. Extraversión fue la principal variable predictora de la varianza explicada de inseguridad interpersonal y alienación personal. Además, responsabilidad y amabilidad mostraron efecto en combinación con otros factores en diferentes variables. Conclusión: El estudio apoyó la importancia de la personalidad en el riesgo de desarrollar trastornos alimentarios. El neuroticismo es el factor que más se relaciona con las variables de riesgo y constructos psicológicos conceptualmente relevantes en el desarrollo y mantenimiento de estos trastornos. El estudio de la personalidad debería ayudar a identificar a las poblaciones de riesgo y adoptar soluciones dirigidas a la prevención.

Parent personality traits and problem behavior in adolescence: The mediating role of adolescent personality.

INTRODUCTION: Parental personality traits are predicted to influence offspring outcomes through parenting behavior and offspring personality traits. This study explored whether mother and father personality traits relate to offspring behavior problems in mid-late adolescence METHOD: In total, 3089 Australian adolescents (1576 boys, 1513 girls; Mage = 16.46 ± 0.50 years) and their parents completed questionnaires assessing personality, conduct problems, emotional and social functioning, antisocial and criminal behavior, cigarette smoking and drug use, at a single time-point. RESULTS: After controlling for sociodemographic factors, results showed that problem behaviors in adolescence were most consistently related to mothers' scores on neuroticism and conscientiousness, and fathers' scores on neuroticism. Father personality traits were most important for antisocial and criminal behavior, whereas mother personality traits were most important for social and emotional functioning. Moderation analysis showed that associations between fathers' personality traits and some adolescent outcomes (cigarette smoking and drug use) were stronger for adolescent boys than for adolescent girls. Mediation models further demonstrated that adolescent personality traits mediated associations between parent personality and adolescent outcomes in almost all cases. Indirect effects expressed as a percentage showed that between 1.4% and 33.3% of the variance in the association between parent personality and adolescent outcomes was shared with the corresponding adolescent personality trait. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings of this study provide evidence that traits inherited (directly or indirectly) from parents might have an important role in shaping problem behavior in adolescence.

The impact of personality on the risk and survival of breast cancer: a Mendelian randomization analysis.

BACKGROUND: It has long been hypothesized that personality plays a causative role in incidence and outcome of breast cancer (BC), but epidemiological evidence of association between personality and BC is inconsistent. METHOD: We used two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to estimate the impact of personality on the risk and survival of BC. In total, 109 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were utilized as instruments of neuroticism from a large-scale Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), and five SNPs were utilized as instruments of extraversion from Genetic of Personality Consortium and 23andMe. Genetic association with the risk and survival of overall and individual subtype BC were obtained from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium. RESULT: Neuroticism is significantly associated with the risk of overall BC [odds ratio (OR) 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.11; p = 0.015] and the risk of luminal A BC (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.03-1.16; p = 0.004). Extraversion is not associated with the risk of BC. None of neuroticism or extraversion is associated with the survival of BC. CONCLUSION: Neuroticism was associated with a modest increased risk of BC and particularly luminal A BC.

Five-factor model of personality and Parkinson's Disease: a systematic review

Some studies have associated Parkinson's disease with specific personality traits. We aimed to analyze personality profiles in Parkinson's disease based on the Five- Factor Model, using the following 3 instruments as parameters: NEO Personality Inventory, revised NEO Personality Inventory, and NEO Five-Factor Inventory. A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched. The initial search resulted in 232 studies, and 11 studies were selected for full-text review. The personality traits most commonly associated with Parkinson's disease were high neuroticism and low extraversion and conscientiousness. These results cannot be attributed only to Parkinson's disease because other associated diseases were present in the included studies. Evidence from these studies is insufficient to state that there is a typical personality profile associated with Parkinson's disease, given that this profile is nonspecific and found in many psychopathological disorders that differ considerably from each other. This study was registered with PROSPERO (registration number CRD42021271526)

Alguns estudos têm associado a doença de Parkinson a traços de personalidade específicos. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar o perfil de personalidade na doença de Parkinson com base no Modelo dos Cinco Fatores, utilizando como parâmetro três instrumentos baseados nessa teoria: NEO Personality Inventory, NEO Personality Inventory revisado e NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática de acordo com os critérios de Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Foram consultadas as bases de dados PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus e Web of Science. A busca inicial resultou em 232 estudos, e 11 deles foram selecionados para análise completa. Os traços de personalidade mais frequentemente associados à doença de Parkinson foram o elevado neuroticismo e baixos níveis de extroversão e de conscienciosidade. Estes resultados não podem ser atribuídos apenas à doença de Parkinson, uma vez que outras doenças associadas estavam presentes nos trabalhos avaliados. Não há evidências suficientes nestes estudos para afirmar que existe um perfil de personalidade típico associado à doença de Parkinson, visto que esse perfil é inespecífico e encontrado em muitos transtornos psicopatológicos que diferem consideravelmente entre si. Este estudo foi registrado na plataforma International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews ­ PROSPERO (número CRD4202127151526)

Changes in personality traits in patients with Alzheimer's Disease / Mudanças nos traços de personalidade em pacientes com doença de alzheimer

ABSTRACT. Changes in personality traits in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are extremely common throughout the course of the pathology, and these behavioral changes present themselves as challenges in clinical management and as a significant cause of caregivers' burden. Objective: Using a personality inventory based on the five-factor model of personality, this study aimed to assesses the change in these factors by comparing the premorbid and current personality of individuals recently diagnosed with AD. Methods: A total of 30 AD patients were recruited, and their respective family members responded to the personality inventory at home through a hosted site. The patients were also divided into two groups according to the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR): mild dementia (CDR 1) and moderate dementia (CDR 2). Results: Among all patients, there was a significant increase in neuroticism factor levels and a significant decrease in the extraversion, conscientiousness, openness, and socialization factors. When comparing the groups, only the extraversion factor showed a difference, with CDR 1 group accusing a higher change in scores. Higher scores in the factor neuroticism in the premorbid personality correlated with the current severity of the disease. Conclusions: This research draws the attention of family members and health professionals to changes in personality traits or behavior of relatives or patients, because it can reflect an underlying neurodegenerative process.

RESUMO. Mudanças em traços de personalidade em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer (DA) são extremamente comuns ao longo do curso da referida patologia, e essas alterações comportamentais apresentam-se como desafios no manejo clínico e como causa significativa de esgotamento dos cuidadores. Objetivo: Por meio de um inventário de personalidade baseado nos cinco fatores de personalidade, este estudo avalia a mudança nos escores desses fatores comparando a personalidade pré-mórbida e a atual dos indivíduos com DA. Métodos: O total de 30 pacientes com DA foi recrutado, e seus familiares responderam ao inventário de personalidade. Os pacientes também foram divididos em dois grupos conforme a avaliação clínica da demência: demência leve (CDR1) e demência moderada (CDR2). Resultados: Em todos os pacientes, houve aumento significativo nos escores do fator neuroticismo e decréscimos significativos nos fatores extroversão, realização, abertura e socialização. Quando feita a comparação entre grupos, apenas o fator extroversão apresentou diferença, com o grupo CDR 1 mostrando maiores mudanças nos escores. Os níveis do fator neuroticismo da personalidade pré-mórbida correlacionaram-se com a gravidade da doença no momento do diagnóstico. Conclusões: Este estudo procura esclarecer aos familiares e profissionais de saúde que mudanças em traços de personalidade de seus parentes ou pacientes podem refletir processos neurodegenerativos subjacentes.

Association of personality traits with polypharmacy among community-dwelling older adults in Japan: a cross-sectional analysis of data from the SONIC study.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy is a serious concern among older adults and is frequently related to adverse outcomes, including health problems, reduced quality of life, and increased medical expenses. Although personality traits are associated with health behaviors and diseases, the effect of polypharmacy on personality traits is unclear. Therefore, we examined the association of personality traits with polypharmacy among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analysed data on 836 community-dwelling older adults aged 69-71 years who participated in the Japanese longitudinal cohort study of Septuagenarians, Octogenarians, and Nonagenarians Investigation with Centenarians. Polypharmacy was defined as the intake of ≥ 5 medications concurrently. Personality traits were assessed using the Japanese version of the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). A five-factor model of personality traits, including "neuroticism," "extraversion," "openness," "agreeableness," and "conscientiousness," was measured by the NEO-FFI. RESULTS: The average number of medications was about 3 in both men and women. Among the participants, polypharmacy was observed in 23.9% of men and 28.0% of women. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that neuroticism (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] per 1 point increase = 1.078, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.015-1.144) in men and extraversion (aOR = 0.932, 95% CI = 0.884-0.983) in women were associated with polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Higher neuroticism in men and lower extraversion in women were associated with polypharmacy. This study suggests that personality traits may be involved in the process leading to the development of polypharmacy. Information on individual personality traits may help medical professionals in decision-making regarding medication management for lifestyle-related diseases.

Cuestionario Revisado de Personalidad de Eysenck (versión reducida): análisis con la teoría de respuesta al ítem / Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Brief Version): Analysis with Item Response Theory

Resumen El objetivo de este trabajo es aportar nuevas evidencias de calidad psicométrica para la adaptación argentina de la versión reducida del Cuestionario de Personalidad de Eysenck (EPQ-RS). Participaron 1136 personas de población general (52.5% femenino, edad media = 29.6 años, DE = 11.9) residentes en Buenos Aires, Argentina. La adaptación argentina se compone de 42 ítems con formato de respuesta dicotómica. Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio a partir de la matriz de correlaciones tetracóricas. Esto permitió replicar la estructura propuesta por Eysenck para el modelo PEN (Psicoticismo-Extraversión-Neuroticismo) y la escala Sinceridad. Posteriormente, se ajustó el modelo logístico de dos parámetros por separado para los ítems de cada escala. Los ítems no mostraron funcionamiento diferencial según género. La discriminación de los ítems resultó moderada-alta. Los parámetros b se localizaron en rangos acotados de cada uno de los rasgos medidos, lo que originó que la precisión de las escalas varíe en el recorrido de los continuos. La escala Neuroticismo aporta más información en niveles medios del rasgo, Psicoticismo en los medio-bajos y Extraversión en los medio-altos. La escala Sinceridad mostró una función de información relativamente plana en todo el recorrido del rasgo. Se brindan evidencias de validez basadas en la relación con otras pruebas que miden facetas del neuroticismo y sintomatología. Las evidencias de validez y confiabilidad obtenidas ofrecen garantías de calidad suficientes para la aplicación de este instrumento en el contexto local y confirman la vigencia del modelo teórico que operacionaliza el EPQ-RS.

Abstract The aim of this work is to provide new evidence of psychometric quality for the Argentinean adaptation of the brief version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-RS). 1136 people from the general population (52.5% female, mean age = 29.6 years, SD = 11.9) residing in Buenos Aires, Argentina participated. The Argentinean adaptation consists of 42 items with dichotomous response format. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed from the tetrachoric correlation matrix. This allowed replicating the structure proposed by Eysenck for the PEN model (Psychoticism - Extroversion - Neuroticism) and the Lie scale. Subsequently, the two-parameter logistic model was adjusted separately for the items of each scale. The items did not show differential functioning by gender. Items discrimination was moderate-high. Parameters b were located in narrow ranges of each one of the measured traits, which caused the precision of the scales to vary along the trait continuums. The Neuroticism scale provides more information at medium levels of the trait, Psychoticism in the medium-low and Extraversion in the medium-high. The Lie scale showed a relatively flat information function throughout the trait. Evidence of validity based on the relationship with other tests that measure facets of neuroticism and symptomatology is provided. The evidence of validity and reliability obtained offers sufficient quality guarantees for the application of this instrument in the local context and confirms topicality of the theoretical model that operationalizes the EPQ-RS.

Does Personality Matter? Perceptions and Experiences of Introverts and Extraverts as General Surgeons.

PHENOMENON: Medical educators increasingly recognize both the challenges introverts, compared to extraverts, may face in medical training and the unique strengths they bring to practice. However, few researchers have examined in-depth how introverts and extraverts truly experience training and practice, particularly in specialties like surgery that tend to value qualities (e.g., dominance and assertiveness) typically associated with extraverts. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of individuals with both personalities within the field of general surgery. APPROACH: Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, six general surgeons and 10 general surgery residents who identified as introverted, extraverted, or ambiverted were recruited from two Canadian tertiary care hospitals to participate in semi-structured interviews. Data collection and analysis occurred iteratively, and data were analyzed using open, selective, and thematic coding. Constant comparison allowed us to make sense of the similar and dissimilar views that emerged from each interview. FINDINGS: Irrespective of their personalities, participants voiced two general patterns of responses. Some participants believed that "personality doesn't matter": that both introverted and extraverted practice styles were equally viable and neither introverts nor extraverts would find surgical training more challenging than the other (culture of equality). However, others believed that "personality matters," emphasizing that surgeons should be dominant and aggressive leaders. Only those who believed "personality matters" felt that introverts sometimes needed to act more extraverted in order to succeed in surgical training (culture of hierarchy). Similar numbers of introverts and extraverts adhered to each viewpoint. INSIGHTS: Our qualitative approach allowed us to draw meaning from the complex subjective experiences of our research participants. Our findings suggest that two competing cultures (equality and hierarchy) co-exist within the field of surgery and that trainees, depending on which culture they adhere most to, will or will not "adapt" their personalities to the workplace. These findings deepen our understanding of the nuances of surgical culture and have important implications for how we select candidates based on personality.

The relationship between personality traits of cancer patients and their preferences when receiving bad news.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the personality traits of cancer patients and their preferences when receiving bad news. METHODS: In this descriptive correlational study, 200 cancer patients who were selected by the continuous sampling method participated. Patients self-reportedly completed the demographic and medical information questionnaire, the Measure of Patients' Preference (MPP) scale, and the short form of the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI). RESULTS: The majority of participants were female (73%), 42.5% had higher education, and 47.5% suffered from breast cancer. In this study, the mean scores of extraversion and neuroticism in patients were 14.59 ± 2.47 and 15.17 ± 3.43, respectively. Regarding patients' preferences for receiving bad news, the score obtained by them in the content category was greater compared to two categories of context and support. This study showed a significant and negative correlation between neuroticism and patients' preferences in the support category (P < 0.001 and r = - 0.265). Regarding the categories of the MPP, there was a significant relationship between gender (P = 0.018) and marital status (P = 0.049) with context category, education (P = 0.011) with content category, and marital status (P = 0.003) and employment (P = 0.009) with support category. CONCLUSION: Personality traits and demographic characteristics of cancer patients can influence their preferences for receiving bad news. Therefore, the consideration of these traits by health care team members is of particular importance to communicate with and deliver bad news to patients.

PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF RADIATION RISK PERCEPTION. / PSYKhOFIZIOLOGIChNI OSOBLYVOSTI SPRYINIaTTIa RADIATsIINOGO RYZYKU.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the subjective and psychophysiological characteristics of the perception of radiation risk,to identify destructive individual-typological personality traits, as well as factors that can be the basis of psycho-logical compensation for victims of various radiation disasters and accidents. OBJECT AND METHOD: A comparative analysis of psychometric and neurophysiological parameters of hypertrophiedperception of radiation risk in the following groups was carried out: liquidators (clean-up workers) of the conse-quences of the Chornobyl accident and evacuees from the Chornobyl exclusion zone (CEZ) - 317 people total, par-ticipants in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) - 101 people, and control group - 85 people. We used psychodiagnos-tic and neurophysiological (computerized electroencephalography) techniques. RESULTS: In the groups of liquidators and evacuees from CEZ there are significantly more people with hypertrophiedperception of radiation risk compared to the control group and the comparison group (liquidators - 71.88 %, liqui-dators-evacuees - 80.0 %, evacuees 76.92 %, ATO participants - 33.78 %, control group - 35.0 %). Among therespondents with hypertrophied perception of radiation risk radiation factors, and, most of all, diseases associatedwith ionizing radiation, hold the first rank places among 31 evaluated factors in all groups. The respondents withadequate perception of the radiation risk are primarily concerned about social stress and environmental factors.Correlation analysis showed that there are no correlation between hypertrophied perception of radiation risk andactual documented radiation dose. Hypertrophied perception depends on gender, level of education, family incomeand level of knowledge about ionizing radiation. It affects perception of one's health, makes you feel helpless,increase the level of distress from the Chornobyl disaster and the Fukushima-1 disaster in Japan, and is also associ-ated with the Revolution of Dignity. Hypertrophied perception of radiation risk contributes to disorders of psycho-somatic health and deformation of personality traits. Comparative analysis of the parameters of bioelectrical activ-ity of the brain of persons with hypertrophied perception of the radiation threat showed an increase in brain's delta-,theta- and beta- activity with suppression of alpha-activity and dominant frequency. CONCLUSIONS: In all examined groups a significant percentage of people with hypertrophied perception wererevealed. The key role in the process of perception of a radiation risk is played not by the real danger of the situa-tion and the documented dose of radiation, but by its perception and awareness. Hypertrophied perception of theradiation risk contributes to psychosomatic health disorders and deformation of personality traits, which is con-firmed by neurophysiological studies.

Do neuroticism and extraversion personality traits influence disease-specific risk factors for mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease in a Japanese population?

OBJECTIVE: Although many reports discussing the associations between personality traits and mortality have been published internationally, those evaluating the relationships among personality, risk factors, and mortality of cancer and CVD are limited. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, we assessed the relationship of neuroticism and extraversion traits with mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 11,554 Japanese residents (male, n = 4995; female, n = 6559), and whether the risk factors that have been validated in the Japanese population mediated the relationship. The baseline survey was conducted between February 2004 and August 2007, and the participants were followed until the date of death or December 31, 2013. RESULTS: Neuroticism was positively associated with risk factors for cancer and negatively associated with the risk score for CVD in both sexes. The relationship between extraversion and cancer risk factors differed depending on the factors, and a positive association between extraversion and the CVD risk score was observed only in men. Among cancer mortality, CVD mortality, and mortality due to other causes, cancer mortality showed remarkably negative association with neuroticism in women; unadjusted hazard ratio for the highest tertile versus the lowest tertile was 0.41 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.73). While the logistic regression coefficients changed 19% after adjustment for age, it changed no more than 19% after adjustment for age and risk factors. CONCLUSION: While neuroticism was negatively associated with cancer mortality in women, the mediating effect of the risk factors was small.

A preliminary risk prediction model for cannabis use disorder.

The ongoing trend toward legalization of cannabis for medicinal/recreational purposes is expected to increase the prevalence of cannabis use disorder (CUD). Thus, it is imperative to be able to predict the quantitative risk of developing CUD for a cannabis user based on their personal risk factors. Yet no such model currently exists. In this study, we perform preliminary analysis toward building such a model. The data come from n = 94 regular cannabis users recruited from Albuquerque, New Mexico during 2007-2010. As the data are cross-sectional, we only consider risk factors that remain relatively stable over time. We apply statistical and machine learning classification techniques that allow n to be small relative to the number of predictors. We use predictive accuracy estimated using leave-one-out-cross-validation to evaluate model performance. The final model is a LASSO logistic regression model consisting of the following seven risk factors: age; level of enjoyment from initial cigarette smoking; total score on Impulsive Sensation-Seeking Scale questionnaire; score on cognitive instability factor of Barratt Impulsivity Scale questionnaire; and scores on neuroticism, openness, and conscientiousness personality traits of Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness inventory. This model has an overall accuracy of 0.66 and the area under its receiver operating characteristic curve is 0.65. In summary, a preliminary relative risk model for predicting the quantitative risk of CUD is developed. It can be employed to identify users at high risk of CUD who may be provided with early intervention.

Relationship between Extraversion and Tobacco Smoking Among High School Students.

BACKGROUND: There is limited information about the relationship between extraversion, as a personality trait, and the modes of tobacco smoking. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between extraversion and cigarette and water-pipe smoking among a representative sample of Iranian high school students. METHODS: A sample of 2,312 tenth-grade students in Tabriz (Northwest of Iran) was selected through multistage proportional cluster sampling. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire including information on cigarette smoking, water-pipe smoking, extraversion, socioeconomical information, as well as demographic characteristics. An ordinal logistic regression model was used for data analysis. RESULTS: In total, 4.2% and 3.5% of the students were regular cigarette and water-pipe smokers, respectively. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.10 (95% CI: 1.04-1.15, P < 0.001) and 1.10 (95% CI: 1.06-1.15, P < 0.001) for the relationships between extraversion and the stages of cigarette smoking and water-pipe smoking status, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that extraversion is in a positive relationship with a cigarette and water-pipe smoking among adolescents. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine the effect of this personality trait on the modes of tobacco smoking and the transition in the stages of cigarette and water-pipe smoking in adolescents.

Personality differences and COVID-19: are extroversion and conscientiousness personality traits associated with engagement with containment measures?

Abstract Introduction In December 2019, an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) probably occurred in Wuhan, China. By March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared a pandemic. Containment measures such as social distancing and hand hygiene were recommended. In this study, we start from the hypothesis that engaging with containment measures in a pandemic situation should be more comfortable for some people than for other people. Thus, individual differences should be associated with engagement with containment measures. Objective To investigate to what extent two personality traits, extroversion and conscientiousness, are associated with engagement with two containment measures (social distancing and handwashing). Methods The sample consisted of 715 Brazilian adults aged 18-78 years, who answered the Big Five Inventory 2 Short (BFI-2-S) and factors from the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 (IDCP-2). Results Higher scores for extroversion were associated with lower means for social distancing (p < 0.001) and higher scores for conscientiousness were associated with higher means for social distancing and handwashing (p < 0.05). Conclusion The findings indicate the importance of acknowledging extroversion and conscientiousness traits as relevant to people's engagement with the measures recommended for COVID-19 containment.

Personality traits of patients suffering from congenital heart defects.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Personality traits of patients suffering from congenital heart defects The work presents a research project carried out in John Paul II Hospital, The Clinical Department of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases with the Intensive Cardiac Surgeon Division Institute of Cardiology, Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, with participation of patients with congenital heart defects. We aimed to assess personality traits of clients suffering from congenital heart defects, in a group of women and men, younger, under 40 years old and older than 40 years old, with PFO and ASD before and after surgery. The aim: identify specific personality traits of patients with congenital heart defects and to check the psychological functioning of patients by examining: the level of anxiety, impulsiveness, tendency to risk-taking, empathy, neuroticism, extraversion, psychoticism and lying. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and methods: We performed a psychological clinical assessment and conducted the psychological tests like EPQ-R(S) by Hans J. Eysenck and Sybil G. Eysenck, IVE by Hans J. Eysenck and Sybil G. Eystenck, STAI by C. D. Spielberger, R. L. Gorsuch, R. E. Lushene describing personality traits of patients. RESULTS: Results: Patients (F=29, M=21), adult, with ASD and with PFO, with the level of education: basic, vocational, secondary, incomplete higher, higher; inhabiting: village, city up to 40 thousand residents, a city with a population of 41-61 thousand, and a city with a population of 60 thousand; civil status: single, married, divorced, widow/widower, separated; being: students, unemployed persons, working persons, pensioners, retirees. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The presented results and their statistical analyses showed specific personality traits of patients with congenital heart defects.

An in-depth look into the association between morningness-eveningness and well-being: evidence for mediating and moderating effects of personality.

Morningness-eveningness and standard personality traits are associated with well-being but few studies have directly compared the two types of construct as correlates of life satisfaction. Influences on well-being common to both chronotype and personality may include shared biological bases for depression and sleep disturbance, tendencies toward social jetlag, and emotion-regulation mechanisms. The current study tested mediation and moderation hypotheses in a sample of 379 Polish adults. The first hypothesis was that conscientiousness and emotional stability traits would mediate the relationship between morningness and life satisfaction. Consistent with previous results, morningness, the two personality traits, and satisfaction tended to be mutually positively correlated. A multiple mediation analysis showed that both traits partially mediated the morningness-satisfaction association. Data are compatible with morningness influencing personality development adaptively, although other causal hypotheses could be advanced. The second hypothesis was that extraversion would moderate the association between chronotype and satisfaction. This hypothesis was supported, with extraverted evening types showing disproportionately high life satisfaction, whereas introverted evening types showed the lowest levels of satisfaction. Level of extraversion may influence whether or not evening types choose to engage in adaptive social activities that boost well-being during the evening hours. Results demonstrate the importance of investigating both chronotype and personality in studies of well-being.

Cigarette smoking and personality: interrogating causality using Mendelian randomisation.

BACKGROUND: Despite the well-documented association between smoking and personality traits such as neuroticism and extraversion, little is known about the potential causal nature of these findings. If it were possible to unpick the association between personality and smoking, it may be possible to develop tailored smoking interventions that could lead to both improved uptake and efficacy. METHODS: Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified variants robustly associated with both smoking phenotypes and personality traits. Here we use publicly available GWAS summary statistics in addition to individual-level data from UK Biobank to investigate the link between smoking and personality. We first estimate genetic overlap between traits using LD score regression and then use bidirectional Mendelian randomisation methods to unpick the nature of this relationship. RESULTS: We found clear evidence of a modest genetic correlation between smoking behaviours and both neuroticism and extraversion. We found some evidence that personality traits are causally linked to certain smoking phenotypes: among current smokers each additional neuroticism risk allele was associated with smoking an additional 0.07 cigarettes per day (95% CI 0.02-0.12, p = 0.009), and each additional extraversion effect allele was associated with an elevated odds of smoking initiation (OR 1.015, 95% CI 1.01-1.02, p = 9.6 × 10-7). CONCLUSION: We found some evidence for specific causal pathways from personality to smoking phenotypes, and weaker evidence of an association from smoking initiation to personality. These findings could be used to inform future smoking interventions or to tailor existing schemes.

Relationships among personality traits, metabolic syndrome, and metabolic syndrome scores: The Kakegawa cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome and the presence of metabolic syndrome components are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association between personality traits and metabolic syndrome remains controversial, and few studies have been conducted in East Asian populations. METHODS: We measured personality traits using the Japanese version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Revised Short Form) and five metabolic syndrome components-elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose-in 1322 participants aged 51.1±12.7years old from Kakegawa city, Japan. Metabolic syndrome score (MS score) was defined as the number of metabolic syndrome components present, and metabolic syndrome as having the MS score of 3 or higher. We performed multiple logistic regression analyses to examine the relationship between personality traits and metabolic syndrome components and multiple regression analyses to examine the relationship between personality traits and MS scores adjusted for age, sex, education, income, smoking status, alcohol use, and family history of CVD and diabetes mellitus. We also examine the relationship between personality traits and metabolic syndrome presence by multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: "Extraversion" scores were higher in those with metabolic syndrome components (elevated waist circumference: P=0.001; elevated triglycerides: P=0.01; elevated blood pressure: P=0.004; elevated fasting glucose: P=0.002). "Extraversion" was associated with the MS score (coefficient=0.12, P=0.0003). No personality trait was significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Higher "extraversion" scores were related to higher MS scores, but no personality trait was significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome.

Betel Quid Chewing, Personality and Mood: Betel Quid Chewing Associated with Low Extraversion and Negative Mood.

BACKGROUND: Betel quid (BQ), chewed by about 600 million people worldwide, is one of the most widely used addictive substances. Little is known about psychological factors in BQ chewers. OBJECTIVES: The present study was the first attempt to explore the relationships between BQ chewing, personality, and mood. METHODS: A survey was conducted with a purposive sample to assess BQ chewing habits in four subgroups: BQ-only users, BQ users who smoke and/or drink, smokers and/or drinkers only, and substance nonusers. A total of 494 participants were recruited from the civilian, non-institutionalized population in Taiwan. Habitual consumption of BQ, smoking and drinking; socio-demographic variables; extraversion; and mood (tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, confusion, and self-esteem). All BQ chewers were evaluated on BQ dependence domains using DSM IV and ICD-10 criteria. RESULTS: The 6-month BQ dependency rate among BQ chewers, defined by either DSM-IV or ICD-10 criteria, ranged from 42.9 to 45.6%. BQ-only users had significantly lower scores on extraversion than substance nonusers. BQ-only users had statistically significant higher scores on confusion and total mood than substance nonusers. BQ-only users had significantly higher scores on fatigue, anger, tension, and depression, than substance nonusers, BQ users who smoke and/or drink, and smokers and/or drinkers only. The number of BQ dependence domains correlated significantly negatively with total mood scores. Conclusions/Importance: The results supported the two hypotheses: (a) BQ chewing is associated with low extraversion; and (b) BQ chewing is related to negative mood.

Personality measures after gamma ventral capsulotomy in intractable OCD.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgeries such as gamma ventral capsulotomy (GVC) are an option for otherwise intractable obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients. In general, clinical and neuropsychological status both improve after GVC. However, its consequences on personality traits are not well-studied. The objective of this study was to investigate personality changes after one year of GVC in intractable OCD patients. METHODS: The personality assessment was conducted using the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) in 14 intractable OCD patients before and one year after GVC. Comparisons of personality features between treatment responders (n=5) and non-responders (n=9) were performed. Multiple linear regression was also used for predicting changes in clinical and global functioning variables. RESULTS: Overall, no deleterious effect was found in personality after GVC. Responders had a reduction in neuroticism (p=0.043) and an increase in extraversion (p=0.043). No significant changes were observed in non-responders. Increases in novelty seeking and self-directedness, and decreases in persistence and cooperativiness predicted OCD symptom improvement. Similary, improvement in functioning was also predicted by hgher novelty seeking and self-directedness after GVC, whereas better functioning was also associated with lower reward dependence and cooperativeness after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of changes in personality traits after GVC was generally towards that observed in nonclinical population, and does not raise safety concerns.