Personality variables as moderators between hassles and objective indications of distress (S-IgA)

The moderation exerted by two personality variables on objective signs of distress, represented by S-IgA concentrations, was investigated; the stressors analysed were daily hassles and the personality variables were ‘barrier’ (B, as studied and defined by S. Fisher) and ‘repression’ (R, the defence mechanism as measured by the Welsh's MMPI-R scale). The results show: (1) that the effect of daily hassles on S-IgA concentrations was very clear and significant; and (2) that this stress response was substantially moderated by the R mechanism, while the B variable exercised no moderation. In a previous research on the relationship between daily hassles and subjective indications of distress, both somatic and emotional, the reverse action by the two personality factors was observed (Stress Med. 1992, 8 , 161–165). Some data are presented in order to achieve an interpretation of these opposite results.     

Personality changes induced by autogenic training practice

Although autogenic training is a relaxation method not regarded as ‘psychotherapeutic’, it may induce psychotherapeutic personality changes. Study participants (N=60) had undertaken AT because they suffered from minor emotional problems caused by distress. All of them completed a series of inventories on two kinds of personality traits: a trait facilitating the stress response (anxiety) and traits moderating it (sense of personal control, barrier and Ego strength). The inventories were administered before the beginning of the course and after 8 months of constant practice at home. The results indicate a significant decrease in emotional distress signs and anxiety and a significant increase in the traits attenuating the stress response. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hemispheric Lateralization Moderates the Life Events–Distress Relationship

Past studies show that life events (LE) predict mental distress. This research tested whether hemispheric lateralization (HL) moderated the relationship between LE and mental distress. In studies 1 and 2, different instruments for assessing HL were used (questionnaire and neuropsychological test). In both studies, LE or daily hassles were positively correlated with distress (study 1) and with anxiety and depression (study 2), only in people with right but not left HL, controlling for effects of gender. In study 3, experimentally induced stress led to increased perceived stress, again only in participants with right but not left HL. These results show consistently that left HL may protect against adverse effects of LE, hassles or acute stress on well‐being. We propose possible mechanisms and future research directions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Incident-related stressors,locus of control,coping, and psychological distress among firefighters in Northern Ireland

This study was an investigation into the associations between incident-related stressors, locus of control, coping, and psychological distress in firefighters in Northern Ireland during the time of political violence. Among 248 male firefighters, greater psychological distress was associated with greater frequency of incident-related negative emotions, external locus of control, less task- and emotion-focused coping, and greater avoidance coping. It was also found that the frequency of exposure to incident-related stressors moderated the association between locus of control and psychological distress and that avoidance coping mediated the relationship between locus of control and psychological distress. Avoidance coping accounted for most of the explained variance in psychological distress. These results point to the potential value of coping-skills training in emergency personnel.     

Sweating the small stuff: how different types of hassles result in the experience of stress

The current study examines the level of stress caused by different types of daily hassles. Using an open‐ended response format, participants (n = 164) described hassles that they were currently experiencing in their lives, and then rated their hassles on dimensions of perceived control, negative emotions, importance, as well as the overall amount of stress that they associated with each hassle. Reported hassles were coded into one of four types (interpersonal, intrapersonal, school/work, everyday living), and relationships between control, negative emotions and importance on stress by type of hassle were examined. Results indicate that for all types of hassles, the amount of negative emotions that a hassle evokes is the strongest predictor of stress. In addition, hassles' importance significantly predicts stress for intrapersonal hassles, school/work hassles and everyday living hassles. Perceived control, however, only predicts stress due to everyday living hassles. Gender differences in the experience of different types of hassles were also found, with female participants reporting a greater number of interpersonal hassles and associating interpersonal hassles with more negative emotions than males. This study extends the literature on hassles by describing the conditions under which different types of everyday events become stressful. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Locus of Control and Degree of compliance in Hemodialysis Patients

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that dialysis patients with an internal locus of control orientation will show a higher rate of compliance to medication and dietary restrictions than those patients with an external locus of control. The results strongly supported the hypothesis. The possibility of interventions to modify patient locus of control is discussed, as is the use of this widely studied personality variable in predicting patient compliance.     

The occupational stress and health outcome profiles of clinical directors in child and adolescent psychiatry

Over 60 per cent of the Consultant Medical Directors of all 102 German Clinics for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry responded to a comprehensive questionnaire to assess specific facets of occupational stress and health outcome (psychological and physical well‐being), as well as individual difference variables (Type A behaviour, Locus of Control, and coping). Compared to other managers (n = 287), the medical professionals tended to exhibit greater job‐related stress, more specifically in terms of workload, managerial role and daily hassles. Conversely, they reported less stress associated with recognition and achievement. There were no differences in terms of Type A behaviour and coping, but medical directors displayed higher levels of internal locus of control. The majority expressed favourable evaluation of working climate. Overall, they were more satisfied with their work and this was most apparent with respect to intrinsic job satisfaction, organizational satisfaction and organizational security. Daily hassles (day to day irritants and aggravations in the workplace) emerged as the single stress determinant of physical and psychological well‐being for the physician group. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Big Five Personality Traits and the General Factor of Personality as Moderators of Stress and Coping Reactions Following an Emergency Alarm on a Swiss University Campus

We conducted an online survey including 306 participants aged 18–64 years to assess the general factor of personality (GFP) and Big Five personality traits in relation to individual stress and coping reactions following a shooting emergency alarm at a Swiss university campus. Although the emergency eventually turned out to be a false alarm, various witnesses showed pronounced distress owing to a vast police operation. The GFP structure was replicated using two alternative modelling approaches. Neuroticism related substantially to acute fear and traumatic distress as well as to more enduring maladaptive coping. Agreeableness was negatively associated with the coping strategy of medication use, whereas both agreeableness and conscientiousness related positively to social activity following the emergency. The GFP related moderately to peri‐traumatic distress and showed a substantial negative association with medication use and a strong positive association with social activity. In conclusion, both the GFP and Big Five traits significantly moderate stress responses following a stressful life event. The GFP predominantly relates to socially adaptive coping, whereas in particular neuroticism accounts for acute stress reactions such as fear and traumatic distress. These findings support the notion that personality influences how persons react in the face of adversity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Personality and psychosocial function after brain injury

A total of 74 brain-injured patients and 46 non-neurologically matched controls consecutively admitted to a specialist medical rehabilitation unit, were administered the 'Headley Court psychosocial rating scale' and four questionnaires examining personality traits of 'locus of control', 'use of humour', 'optimism' and 'easy-going disposition'. Both pre- and post-injury personality ratings were obtained. The relatives of all participants were sent the same scales. Personality changes are reported in each of the four areas; however, time post-injury appears to be a significant factor in the type of change reported; in this cross-sectional study, at 6 and 12 months post-injury, changes are noted in all variables except locus of control, whereas at 18 months post-injury only 'easy-going disposition' showed significant change, at 24 months post-injury changes were noted in all variables except optimism, and at 30 months post-injury no changes were noted. In the present study, examining a period of 2-5 years post-injury, the personality changes remain static once they have occurred. Despite widespread reports in the literature on the importance of pre- and post-trauma personality to good psychosocial functioning, the present study found that it was only an 'easy-going disposition' post-trauma that was consistently related to good psychosocial functioning. Reasons for this are discussed.     

Levels of neuroticism differentially predict individual scores in the depression and anxiety dimensions of the tripartite model: A multiwave longitudinal study

The associations between neuroticism and depression and anxiety symptoms remain unclear possibly due to the lack of specificity and covariation among common symptoms. The current study hypothesized that neuroticism acts as a vulnerability factor for general distress (GD) and specific depression and anxiety symptoms. We investigated this hypothesis using the “tripartite model” (a well‐known dimensional model of anxiety and depression). A sample of 644 college students was recruited from Hunan, China. In the initial stage of this investigation, the students completed self‐assessment forms to measure their levels of neuroticism and frequency of daily hassles. The students also reported on their levels of GD and specific depression and anxiety symptoms. The same self‐assessment procedure was undertaken once a month for the next 6 months. The results of the hierarchical linear model suggest a significant interaction between neuroticism and the level of stress caused by exposure to increased levels of daily hassles, which can be used as a predictor of future levels of GD and specific anxiety symptoms. However, the same interaction was not a significant predictor of specific depression symptoms. The current findings suggest that neuroticism may be a risk factor for specific anxiety but not for specific depression symptoms in face of stress caused by daily hassles.     

Incorporating interpersonal events within hassle measurement

The current studies sought to extrapolate previous findings regarding the importance of interpersonal events within hassle measurement. It did so by exploring the subscale structure of a comprehensive group of interpersonal and non‐interpersonal hassles. It then examined correlations between those components and with measures of distress and well‐being. The two studies were based on an item pool developed from prior research that had shown that interpersonal events were missing from a prominent hassle measure (Maybery & Graham, 2001). Principal component analyses and one‐factor congeneric models were used to examine the factor structures. The first study (n = 289) identified 13 hassle subscales. The second study (n = 457) incorporated additional course‐ and study‐related items from focus groups and interviews. In that study, the 13 subscales were replicated and two additional hassle factors were identified. The final 15 factors included eight interpersonal and seven non‐interpersonal subscales. Moderate correlations were found between some interpersonal and non‐interpersonal factors and correlations with commonly used distress and well‐being instruments showed a considerable number of weaker moderate relationships. In conjunction with previous research, the findings indicate that interpersonal events constitute additional hassle categories to non‐interpersonal events and the former may have independent associations within distress and well‐being models. Future research is necessary to determine if interpersonal events contribute to distress and well‐being independently of other hassles. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Self‐selection for stressful experiences

Studies of self‐selection for stressful experiences have employed different models advocating variables specific to those models. These investigations typically utilize personal resource or psychological distress measures to predict occurrences of life events and daily hassles. The purpose of this investigation was to combine both types of measures to estimate the occurrence of life events and daily hassles prospectively. Using hierarchical multiple regression, occurrences of stressful experiences were regressed on personal resource variables (mastery, self‐esteem, conscientiousness and neuroticism), perceived social support, avoidance coping, gender and psychological distress assessed 10 weeks prior. Results indicated that depressive symptoms and avoidance coping were consistent estimators for both types of stressor. The influence of mastery, self‐esteem, neuroticism, social support and gender varied across stressor categories. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Work and non-work coping strategies: their relation to personality,appraisal and life domain

The nature and degree of the relationship between the choice of coping strategies, personality, situational appraisals and the extent to which these relationships are domain-dependent is open. This study surveyed 330 police officers in order to answer seven specific questions: (1) Is the selection of coping strategies independent of the situational domain? (2) Is the experience of hassles and uplifts independent of the situational domain? (3) Is the experience of hassles independent of the experience of uplifts? (4) Is the selection of problem-focused coping independent of the selection of emotion-focused coping? (5) Is personality related to the selection of coping strategies? (6) Is personality related to the reappraisal of the situational events? (7) Does the selection of the coping strategy relate to the reappraisal of the situational event? The findings indicate that extraversion (E) and neuroticism (N) are related to the selection of coping strategy, and that personality, domain and coping strategy make independent contributions to the final appraisal of the events. Personality, coping and situational experiences operate as discrete subsystems, with N, emotion-focused coping and hassles correlating together on the one hand, and E, problem-focused coping and uplifts correlating together on the other. This finding of two independent systems also adds support to other results in signalling to stress researchers and practitioners that they need to take account of both negative and positive aspects of the stress-coping process.     

Job stress,personality, and psychological distress as determinants of somatization and functional somatic syndromes in a population of nurses

The objective of the present study was to examine the respective contribution of job stress dimensions (work demands, job control, and social support at work), personality traits (neuroticism and alexithymia), and psychological distress (anxiety and depression) to somatization in a population of nurses. Therefore, a number of logistic regression analyses were conducted, with the presence versus absence of three functional somatic syndromes (functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and idiopathic chronic fatigue (CF) and current somatization, defined as the presence of at least two medically unexplained symptoms (median number of symptoms for the sample) and four medically unexplained symptoms (highest quartile for the sample) during the past month, as the outcome variables. The results pointed out that job stress dimensions significantly and independently contributed to IBS (job control) and CF (work demands). The personality trait neuroticism was a significant predictor of both current somatization and functional somatic syndromes, whereas alexithymia primarily predicted the presence of more severe and/or more enduring forms of somatization. Finally, three out of five outcome variables were predicted by psychological distress. Future studies should examine (a) to what extent distinct patterns of associations can be found between specific job stress dimensions on the one hand, and specific functional somatic syndromes on the other and (b) the potential interaction between job stress and personality dimensions in determining somatization. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Psychosocial effects of cosmetic augmentation mammaplasty

In a follow-up study, 19 small-busted women who had received a cosmetic augmentation mammaplasty were contrasted with 20 small-busted control wornen and 19 average-busted control women. The augmented women showed much greater happiness with their breast, an improved body image, and more daring and revealing dress. Basic personality traits, self-concept, and the frequency of various activities were unchanged.Presented at the meeting of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, San Francisco, November 1977.     

Personality factors in analgesic usage

The relationship between personality factors and analgesic intake was studied in a population of chronic back sufferers. A survey of consecutive patients over a three-month period was undertaken at the Wolfson Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Wimbledon. The personality factors measured were extraversion–introversion and neuroticism (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire) and health locus of control (Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale). A drug diary was kept by each subject to monitor analgesic intake. Subjects tending towards neuroticism or introversion were inclined to take more analgesics, as also were those with a ‘powerful others’ health locus of control (all p ? 0.05). Personality factors should be considered in the pharmacology of chronic pain.     

Stress effects on the health of chief executives of business organizations

Ninety-eight chief executive officers of business organizations employing at least 150 staff completed a battery of questionnaires measuring chronic and episodic non-work-related and work-related stressors; trait anxiety, locus of control, and type A/type B personality; health-related lifestyle practices; and behaviours related to coping with stress. The medical history and blood pressure and blood chemistry measures of each respondent were assessed by a panel of medical experts and an index of physical health risk was computed. Factor analysis was used to refine measures of key dimensions of episodic and chronic work-related stress, and coping behaviours. Physical health risk was regressed as a dependent variable on to the independent variables of stressors, personality traits, and coping and health behaviours. Fifty-seven per cent of the variance in health risk was accounted for, with the four types of stressor, anxiety, lifestyle habits and ‘self-control’ coping mechanisms all contributing to the regression equation. The results particularly indicated the contribution of non-work-related stressors to physical health risk, and the moderating effects of lifestyle habits.     

Daily stress and pain sensitivity in chronic tension‐type headache sufferers

The aim was to examine interactions between daily stress, pain sensitivity, and headache activity in Chronic Tension‐Type Headache sufferers. We measured daily hassles, pericranial muscle tenderness, pressure pain threshold at finger, headache history (years of headache) and prospective headache activity (in a two‐week clinical diary), in headache sufferers and healthy Controls. Headache sufferers had increased daily hassles scores, increased muscle tenderness, and decreased pain threshold compared to Controls. Daily hassles were correlated with increased muscle tenderness and reduced pain threshold in the CTH group. In regression analyses, daily hassles predicted muscle tenderness when accounting for headache history, headache severity and pain threshold. Muscle tenderness and daily hassles predicted headache severity when accounting for headache history and pain threshold. Muscle tenderness predicted pain threshold when accounting for headache history, headache severity and daily hassles. The results indicate daily stress is related to increased pain sensitivity and headache activity in Chronic Tension‐Type Headache sufferers, accounting for significant variance in these factors additional to that accounted for by clinical factors (headache history and severity). Although only correlational, the results support the proposition that daily stress affects Chronic Tension‐Type Headache through hyperalgesic effects on already sensitized pain pathways in headache sufferers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factors accounting for psychosocial functioning in patients with low back pain

Low back pain (LBP) is a chronic disorder which exerts a profound impact on various spheres of psychosocial functioning, including emotional distress, functional limitations and decrements in social contacts. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between the indices of psychosocial functioning in patients with chronic LBP and a range of psychological factors. Specifically, the study aimed at exploring the relative participation of personality, social support, disease-related cognitive appraisals and coping styles in accounting for the differences in psychosocial functioning of patients with LBP. One-hundred-twenty patients with LBP took part in the study and completed a battery of psychological questionnaires: NEO–Five Factors Inventory, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Disease-Related Social Support Scale, Disease-Related Appraisals Scale and Psychosocial Functioning Questionnaire (PFQ). The PFQ dimensions were used as dependent variables in a series of stepwise regression analysis models with the scores from other questionnaires entered as independent variables. A cognitive appraisal of the disease in terms of an obstacle was strongly related to all domains of functioning; however, other appraisals (threat, challenge, harm, profit and overall disease importance) were uniquely associated with particular domains of functioning. Deprivation of social support was a significant predictor of distress experienced in interpersonal context and of sense of being disabled. Among basic personality traits, agreeableness was negatively associated with distress in interpersonal context, and conscientiousness was positively related to acceptance of life with the disease. Problem-focus coping was linked to higher acceptance of life with the disease. Among sociodemographic variables, older age and lower educational level were related to greater subjective feelings of being disabled. Pain severity was found unrelated to any of psychosocial functioning domains. Different aspects of psychosocial functioning are best accounted for by diverse patterns of psychological factors, which suggests involvement of different psychological mechanisms in development of LBP-related disability.