RESUMEN
The personality trait of neuroticism has been found to be associated with a polymorphism in the regulatory region of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter gene (5-HTTLPR). This same genetic polymorphism has also been associated with seasonal changes in mood and behavior, or seasonality. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether seasonality and neuroticism are actually the same construct given that they are both associated with the same genetic polymorphism. We administered the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), which measures the severity of seasonality, and the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R), which measures the severity of neuroticism, to 45 subjects diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a clinical expression of seasonality in which patients develop a major depressive disorder in the winter that remits in the summer and can be treated with light therapy. No significant correlation was found between neuroticism and seasonality. We conclude that seasonality and neuroticism are not the same construct, even though the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is a genetic risk factor for each.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos Neuróticos/genética , Trastorno Afectivo Estacional/genética , Adulto , Transporte Biológico Activo/genética , Femenino , Regulación de la Expresión Génica/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Trastornos Neuróticos/diagnóstico , Inventario de Personalidad , Fototerapia , Polimorfismo Genético/genética , Trastorno Afectivo Estacional/diagnóstico , Trastorno Afectivo Estacional/terapia , Serotonina/genética , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Compared assertive and aggressive behavior of 12 normal and 12 neurotic family triads using the Interpersonal Behavior Schedule and a semi-automated behavioral role playing task. Normal families were chosen from files of nonpsychiatric patients of a general hospital; neurotic families were chosen from psychiatric files in the same hospital. Neurotic families manifested disturbed marital relationships, neurotic symptoms in at least one member (but no psychotic behavior or organically based symptoms), a constricted emotional climate, and/or underachievement problems in the male adolescent. Results indicated that normals were significantly more assertive than the neurotic family group. The neurotic group reported less aggressiveness than the normal families. It was demonstrated in the self report data that the neurotic group seemed to be suppressing or denying their aggressive impulses more than the normals. The influence of powerful demand characteristics and individual and family defenses on the subjects' behavior was also discussed.