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Trait Scores (trait + score)
Selected AbstractsThe impact of anxiety on conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's diseaseINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 12 2009Deidre J. Devier Abstract Objective To compare state and trait anxiety in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients and matched control subjects, and to assess the impact of these variables in predicting conversion to Alzheimer's disease. Methods One hundred and forty-eight patients with MCI, broadly defined, were assessed and followed systematically. Baseline predictors for follow-up conversion to AD (entire sample: 39/148 converted to Alzheimer's disease (AD)) included the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results At baseline evaluation, MCI patients had higher levels of state and trait anxiety than controls, with no differences between future AD converters (n,=,39) and non-converters. In age-stratified Cox proportional hazards model analyses, STAI State was not a significant predictor of conversion to AD (STAI State ,30 vs.,>,30 risk ratio, 1.68; 95% CI, 0.75, 3.77; p,=,0.21), but higher Trait scores indicated a lower risk of conversion when STAI State, education, the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination and HAM-D (depression score) were also included in the model (STAI Trait ,30 vs.,>,30 risk ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.16, 0.82; p,=,0.015). Conclusions In contrast to two other recent studies that showed anxiety predicted cognitive decline or conversion to AD, in this clinic-based sample, state anxiety was not a significant predictor. However, higher Trait anxiety predicted a lower risk of future conversion to AD. Further research with systematic long-term follow-up in larger samples is needed to clarify the role of state and trait anxiety in predicting MCI conversion to AD. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A randomised controlled trial of cytological surveillance versus patient choice between surveillance and colposcopy in managing mildly abnormal cervical smearsBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2004H.C. Kitchener Objective To determine whether choice of colposcopy or six month cytological surveillance would be beneficial to women with mildly abnormal smears when compared with the national policy of six months surveillance in terms of psychological morbidity. Design A randomised trial based on the Zelen design. Setting A hospital-based research clinic. Population Four hundred and seventy-six women who had had a recurrent borderline or mildly dyskaryotic smear on routine cervical screening in primary care. Methods Women were randomised either to six months cytological surveillance or to make a choice between that or colposcopy and were followed up for 1 year. Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was caseness (score ,4) on the General Health Questionnaire at 12 months follow up. Other measures were the Spielberger State and Trait scores, default rates and cytology/colposcopy outcomes. Results There was no significant difference between the arms for General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) scores and Spielberger State and Trait at 12 months. There was a significant reduction in psychometric morbidity between baseline and 12 months in both arms. Overall rates of default from the protocol were the same in both arms, but default that led to uncertain ascertainment of cervical pathology was greater in the no-choice arm. Conclusions This trial indicates that having choice did not impact favourably or harmfully on anxiety or feelings of wellbeing. If a patient is anxious, allowing the patient to choose immediate colposcopy may be preferable because it will improve ascertainment of underlying disease in a group who are more likely to default. [source] Putting the Five-Factor Model Into Context: Evidence Linking Big Five Traits to Narrative IdentityJOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 5 2006Peter Raggatt ABSTRACT The study examined relationships between the Big Five personality traits and thematic content extracted from self-reports of life history data. One hundred and five "mature age" university students (M=30.1 years) completed the NEO PI-R trait measure, and the Personality Web Protocol. The protocol examines constituents of identity by asking participants to describe 24 key "attachments" from their life histories (significant events, people, places, objects, and possessions). Participants sorted these attachments into clusters and provided a self-descriptive label for each cluster (e.g., "adventurous self"). It was predicted that the thematic content of these cluster labels would be systematically related to Big Five trait scores (e.g., that labels referring to strength or positive emotions would be linked to Extraversion). The hypothesized links were obtained for each of the Big Five trait domains except Conscientiousness. Results are discussed with a view to broadening our understanding of the Five-Factor Model in relation to units of personality other than traits. [source] Personality Profiles and the Prediction of Categorical Personality DisordersJOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 2 2001Robert R. McCrae Personality disorders (PDs) are usually construed as psychiatric categories characterized by a unique configuration of traits and behaviors. To generate clinical hypotheses from normal personality trait scores, profile agreement statistics can be calculated using a prototypical personality profile for each PD. Multimethod data from 1,909 psychiatric patients in the People's Republic of China were used to examine the accuracy of such hypotheses in the Interpretive Report of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory. Profile agreement indices from both self-reports and spouse ratings were significantly related to PD symptom scores derived from questionnaires and clinical interviews. However, accuracy of diagnostic classification was only modest to moderate, probably because PDs are not discrete categorical entities. Together with other literature, these data suggest that the current categorical system should be replaced by a more comprehensive system of personality traits and personality-related problems. [source] Personality Trait Profiles of Missionary AdolescentsJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2000Terry L. Dwelle Background: The study objective was to compare the Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis secondary population norms for adolescents, to test results of Assemblies of God missionary adolescents, and determine if the mission's experience had significant impact on personality traits. Methods: A retrospective record review study of Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis test results administered to all missionary adolescents aged 13- to 18-years-old, having attended a yearly school of missions from 1986 to 1994, was performed. A two-sample, two-tailed t -test was used for statistical analysis. Test results were compared with standard adolescent and adult norms. Initial, and second test results when available, were compared for significant personality trait changes in adolescents over a 2,3 year interval, while in the mission's program. Subpopulation norms were calculated for the study group. Results: Initial tests from 438 study group adolescents demonstrated significant differences in 7 of 9 personality trait categories for males, and 8 of 9 for females, compared with test adolescent norms. Initial, and second test comparisons were performed in 67 adolescents, and showed no significant changes in the personality trait scores in males and females. Personality trait profiles for females more closely resembled adult than adolescent norms, with 8 of the 9 personality trait categories showing no significant difference between adult female norms and study females. Conclusions: Clinicians and mission's sending agencies should be aware of the unique Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis test patterns for missionary adolescents, and that Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis norm tables for adolescents seem inadequate in evaluating missionary adolescents. Appropriate subpopulation norms are likely necessary. The impact of missions on personality trait categories of missionary adolescents seems negligible, but needs further research with methods that assure follow-up testing. These considerations could apply to other subpopulations and psychological tests. [source] Suicide patterns and characteristics in Akita, JapanPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 3 2005MASAHITO FUSHIMI md Abstract, Akita Prefecture currently has the highest rate of suicide in Japan. Given this alarming statistic, investigation of the underlying causes of suicide and identification of strategies for suicide prevention are imperative. Members of the Akita Prefectural Medical Association (APMA) see most of the individuals who commit suicides in Akita Prefecture, so data from the APMA would prove advantageous in any investigation of suicides. In this study, members of the APMA who had attended to individuals who had committed suicide were asked to complete a questionnaire about the case to determine the factors underlying suicide in Akita Prefecture. From 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002, a total of 138 cases (102 males, 36 females) of suicide were reported. Most suicide cases were of 50,69 year olds. Many cases involved relatively lethal methods (such as hanging). Most suicides were performed at home and at a time when the rest of the family was asleep or absent. The most ,common ,complaint ,appeared ,to ,be ,economic-related ,problems. ,Depressive ,disorder ,was the most common psychiatric disorder, and many cases displayed high depressive trait scores. The present results do not exclude the possibility that economic-related problems are playing a major role in recent increases in suicide numbers. However, strategies for dealing with depression as well as economic-related problems are considered important. [source] Child ADHD and personality/temperament traits of reactive and effortful control, resiliency, and emotionalityTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 11 2006Michelle M. Martel Background:, Models of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suggest developmental influences may feed into components of the disorder separately from associated disruptive behavior problems. We investigated this in terms of key personality/temperament traits of Reactive and Effortful Control, Resiliency, and Emotionality. Methods:, A sample of 179 children (age 6,12, 63% boys), of whom 92 had ADHD, 52 were Controls, and 35 were borderline or not otherwise specified cases of ADHD, were examined. Dispositional trait scores were derived from parent-completed California Q-sort and the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire. Child ADHD symptoms were evaluated using maternal structured diagnostic interview and teacher-completed symptom ratings. Results:, Traits were differentially associated with symptoms. Reactive Control was related to hyperactivity-impulsivity as rated by both parents and teachers. Negative Emotionality was related to oppositional-defiance. Resiliency was primarily related to inattention-disorganization as rated by both parents and teachers; Effortful Control was related uniquely to inattention in parent but not teacher data. A moderation effect emerged; the relationship between parent-rated Negative Emotionality and teacher-rated ADHD symptoms was stronger for children with high levels of both Reactive and Effortful Control. Conclusions:, Results are interpreted in relation to a two-pathway model of ADHD; regulation problems contribute to the emergence of symptoms of inattention-disorganization, reactive or motivational control problems to the emergence of hyperactivity-impulsivity, and these are distinct from negative affectivity. Children with regulation deficits and a reactive motivational style are especially at risk for the development of ADHD. [source] | |||||||||||||