Dopamine activation in Neuroticism as measured by spontaneous eye blink rate

Personality dimensions have been associated with different psychobiological systems. However, no agreement exists in literature on a specific role of a single neurotransmitter for each of the dimensions investigated. We studied the relationship of Neuroticism, Extraversion and Psychoticism as assessed by Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) with spontaneous eye blink rate (BR), a non-invasive measure of central dopamine activity. A total of sixty-three healthy subjects (40 females, 23 males, mean age 24.2±3.9) were studied. Spontaneous blink rate and time of blink suppression were assessed by EOG measurement. Levels of Extraversion and Neuroticism were inversely correlated. In contrast with previous findings, a significant correlation between blink rate measures and Neuroticism was found. No significant correlation between blink measures and either Extraversion, or Psychoticism were found. The results appear consistent with a lower threshold for activation in neuroticism as suggested by Eysenck's original model.     

Components of hostility and the severity of coronary artery disease

Previous research has linked various measures of hostility to the prevalence and incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). The present study sought to determine whether some dimensions of hostility are differentially related to angiographically documented severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Specifically, a hostility measure that correlates with indices of neuroticism was compared with a hostility measure unrelated to neurotic tendencies. For patients 60 years and younger, results were significant, revealing that neurotic hostility was inversely associated with severity of CAD whereas nonneurotic hostility scores were positively related to extent of disease. Overall hostility scores derived from the combination of the two kinds of hostility measures were unrelated to CAD severity. Results suggest that the multidimensional nature of the hostility construct should be appreciated in attempts to associate measures of hostility with manifestations of CHD.     

Measuring the effect of the Rorschach Color Cards (VIII-X) on perceptual accuracy and special scores in differentiating borderline from schizophrenic protocols

In this study, measures were developed that compared conventional Form accuracy and the ratio of Special Scores on Cards VIII-X (Color Cards) with overall Rorschach scores. Two new measures, a Color Card Perception Difference (CCPD) score and a Special Score Difference (SSD) score were used for this purpose. CCPD and SSD scores were calculated by subtracting component X + % scores and weighted Special Score ratios found on the overall Rorschach from those unique to Cards VIII-X. CCPD scores were found to be highly effective in differentiating a previously diagnosed borderline from a schizophrenic group. CCPD and SSD scores were correlated with MMPI scales for profile characteristics. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Development and preliminary testing of a brief intervention for modifying CHD-predictive hostility components

Hostility is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), and certain hostility subscales (e.g., Barefoot's refined Ho) predict CHD and mortality more powerfully than global hostility measures. An intervention for modifying CHD-predictive hostility components was developed and tested. Twenty-two healthy, high-hostile males, who were matched on age and hostility level, were randomly assigned to either an experimental hostility-reduction treatment group or an information-control group. The experimental group received eight 90-min weckly sessions for altering antagonism, cynicism, and anger reactions. After controlling for pretreatment levels, subjects' group status accounted for an additional and significant 28 and 19% of the variance in improvement of observed Anger-Out scores and Barefoot's refined Ho scores, respectively. Thus, this treatment may reduce CHD-predictive and mortality-predictive hostility levels. The possible clinical significance of these results was tested, and future large-scale and long-term trials are recommended.     

医学院校护理专业男生心理健康状况调查研究

目的 了解医学院校护理专业男生心理健康状况.方法 采用90项症状自评量表和自行设计调查表对山东省滨州医学院护理专业全体在校男生62人进行调查.结果 护理专业男生在强迫、人际敏感、敌意、妄想、精神病性各因子中得分显著(P＜0.01)高于临床专业学生;护理专业男生在躯体化、强迫、抑郁、焦虑、恐怖、各因子中得分显著低于全国大学生(P＜0.01,或P＜0.05);护理专业男生在敌意、妄想、精神病性各因子中得分显著高于青年组常模.结论 医学院校护理专业男生总体心理健康状况良好,部分心理问题较突出.     

Association between the adrenergic alpha 2A receptor gene (ADRA2A) and measures of irritability, hostility, impulsivity and memory in normal subjects

The noradrenergic system has been implicated in arousal, vigilance, irritability hostility, and memory. This suggests the hypothesis that genetic variants at noradrenergic receptors may be risk factors of these behaviors. To test this hypothesis, the potential association between measures of these traits and genetic variation at the adrenergic2A receptor gene (ADRA2A), using a common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) polymorphism of the promoter region, were examined in two independent sets of subjects: university students (student group), and parents of twins in the Minnesota Twin Study (twin group). In the student group, there was a significant linear association by genotype (11 > 12 > 22) for the total Brown ADD score (BADD), and BADD subscores of memory and irritability, and with the total Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) score and BDHI subscores of indirect hostility, irritability, negativity, and verbal aggression. A multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) of all the BADD and BDHI subscores was significant at P < or = 0.009. For the twin group, the same genotype associations were significant for the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) impulsivity scores but not for the MPQ aggression or harm avoidance scores. The ADRA2A gene accounted for 1.8-8.3% of the variance of these scores.     

防化兵个性、社会支持与心理健康

目的 分析防化兵个性、社会支持与心理健康的关系.方法 采用自行设计的人口学资料问卷、艾森克人格问卷简式量表中国版(EPQ-RSC)、社会支持评定量表(SSRS)和症状自评量表(SCL-90)对396名防化兵测查,并进行统计分析.结果 防化兵SCL-90焦虑和敌对因子均显著高于军人常模.人格特征表现为高外倾性,高神经质和高精神质.EPQ-RSC各维度分和SCL-90多个因子分存在相关.社会支持总分、主观分和利用度分与SCL-90各因子分都呈统计学显著相关.结论 防化兵职业容易产生心理健康问题,不同人格特征容易产生不同的心理健康问题,社会支持有利于防化兵心理健康.     

抑郁症患者焦虑症状、应付方式与人格的相关研究

目的：探讨有无焦虑症状抑郁症患者的应付方式与人格的关系。方法：对88名抑郁症患者及与之匹配的90名正常对照组进行SDS、SAS、EPQ和应付方式问卷评定。结果：与正常对照组相比，抑郁症患者SDS、SAS、EPQ的N、P两个维度的得分高于正常对照组，而EPQ的E维度、积极应付方式得分低于对照组。相对于无焦虑症状组，有焦虑症状组SDS、SAS、EPQ的N、P两个维度的得分明显较高，积极应付方式得分明显较低。相关、回归分析表明抑郁症状的严重程度与SAS、EPQ的E维度及积极应付方式的关系更为密切，三者可解释抑郁症状严重程度方差的52．0％。结论：抑郁症患者发病期有较高的N、P两个维度的得分，较低的E维度得分，较少采用积极的应付方式。相对于无焦虑症状组，有焦虑症状组的抑郁症患者抑郁症状较严重，神经质、精神质比较明显，较少采用积极的应付方式。且较少采用积极的应付方式似乎可纳入人格特质的E维度之中。     

Gender differences in the relation between tnterview-derived hostility scores and resting blood pressure

We examined the correlations between Structured Interview (SI)-derived hostility scores and resting blood pressure (BP) to see if they would be the same or different for healthy men and women. Standard risk factor information and resting BP measures were obtained from 193 undergraduates (109 men, 84 women), who underwent the SI. Subjects were rated for Potential for Hostility, Hostile Style, Intensity and Content, and completed Antagonism and Neuroticism scales. As expected, SI hostility scores were related to higher resting SBP in men, however, in women, they were related to lower resting SBP and Neuroticism. Regression analyses controlling for standard CHD risk factors indicated that SI-derived hostility predicted resting SBP and hypertensive status in both men and women, though in opposite directions. Thus, SI-derived hostility may assess a different construct in women than in men.     

肾病患者心理健康状况与人格特征的调查研究

目的了解肾病患者的心理健康与人格特征状况及两者之间的关系。方法采用症状自评量表(SCL-90)和艾森克人格问卷(EPQ成人版)对169位肾病住院患者进行了调查。结果 1肾病患者SCL-90总均分及各因子分都显著高于常模(t=7.397～15.288,P0.001);2男女肾病患者的精神质得分都显著高于常模(男性患者t=4.577,P0.001;女性患者t=4.494,P0.001),内外向得分与常模无显著差异(P0.05),女性患者的神经质得分显著高于常模(t=4.933,P0.001),男性患者神经质得分与常模无显著差异(P0.05);3精神质与人际关系、焦虑、敌对、恐怖、偏执、精神病性及总均分存在显著的正相关(r=0.207～0.334,P0.01),内外向与躯体化、敌对和偏执存在显著地正相关(r=0.180～0.276,P0.05或P0.01),神经质与SCL-90各因子都存在显著地正相关(r=0.456～0.637,P0.01);4神经质对心理健康各维度及总均分都有明显的预测作用(P0.01),内外向对躯体化、敌对、偏执有明显的预测作用(P0.01或P0.05),精神质对强迫症状、抑郁、敌对有明显的预测作用(P0.05)。结论肾病患者心理健康总体处于较差状态,其人格特征以孤独、固执、缺乏同情心、情绪稳定性较差为主要特征,不同人格特征的患者易出现的心理问题不同。     

Interaction effects of extraversion and neuroticism on detection thresholds

Detection thresholds for electrocutaneous stimulation were measured in young male subjects by two different methods - a method of limits and a forced-choice method - the latter assumed to be less influenced by decision processes. Relations between the threshold measures and scores in the EPI extraversion (E) and neuroticism (N) scales were studied. High N-low E ("unstable introvert") subjects had the lowest thresholds. The result is in line with the predictions made on the basis of Eysenck's personality theory.     

Aggressive/hostile personality traits and injury accidents: an eight-year prospective study of a large cohort of French employees -- the GAZEL cohort

BACKGROUND: Aggressiveness on the roads and/or anger behind the wheel are considered to be a major traffic safety problem in several countries. However, the psychological mechanisms of anger and/or aggression on the roads remain largely unclear. This study examines a large cohort of French employees followed over the period 1994-2001 to establish whether psychometric measures of aggression/hostility were significantly associated with an increased risk of an injury accident (I-A). An I-A was defined as a traffic accident in which someone was injured, that is required medical care. METHOD: A total of 11,754 participants aged from 39 to 54 years in 1993 were included in this study. Aggression/hostility was measured in 1993 using the French version of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI). Driving behaviors and I-A were recorded in 2001. Sociodemographic and alcohol consumption data were available from annual follow-up of the cohort. The relationship between aggression/hostility scores and I-A was assessed using negative binomial regression models with time-dependent covariates. RESULTS: The overall BDHI scoring was not statistically predictive of subsequent I-A: adjusted rate ratio (aRR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81-1.28, for participants with intermediate scores and aRR 1.25, 95% CI 0.98-1.61 for those with high scores, both compared to those with low scores. The only BDHI subscales found to be associated with I-A were 'irritability' (aRR 1.33, 95% CI 1.02-1.75 for participants with high scores) and 'negativism' (aRR 1.32, 95% CI 1.01-1.71 for participants with high scores). CONCLUSION: Overall aggression/hostility personality traits did not predict I-A in this large cohort of French employees, suggesting that aggressiveness on the roads and/or anger behind the wheel extend beyond the individual's general propensity for aggression.     

Study on self and other ratings of hostility

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of hostility ratings made by others. The rating measure was considered essential for the study of correlation between hostility and coronary heart disease. Undergraduate and graduate students, 81 in all, completed a questionnaire of hostility and social desirability. The scales included were Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BAQ), Müller Anger Coping Questionnaire (MAQ), and Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSD). Acquaintances also rated them using BAQ and MAQ. Correlations between self and other ratings were moderate, and self-rated hostility scores correlated negatively with MCSD scores, while other-rated hostility scores did not. Results of ANOVA indicated that self-rated hostility scores were higher than other-rated hostility scores. However, the differences decreased as the degree of closeness between them increased, and no difference was found in long-term close relationship. These results suggested that other ratings of hostility could be an objective measure in Japan, as in western countries.     

U-curved relation between total fasting serum cholesterol and hostility: A population-based study

Some researchers have found higher cholesterol levels linearly related to hostility, whereas others have found no relation. Even so, it remains unclear whether research should seek to find a linear relation between hostility and cholesterol levels. We hypothesized that a U-curved association was the proper test of the relation between hostility and cholesterol. Total fasting and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were collected from a population-based sample of 2,306 Canadians. Barefoot’s (1989) scoring of the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale was used to assess hostility levels. Both a linear and a U-curved relation among hostility scores, fasting total, and LDL cholesterol levels were significant. Participants with low and high cholesterol levels had significantly higher hostility scores than the normal cholesterol group. A U-curved relation between hostility and serum cholesterol levels may be a more appropriate function to consider given the all-cause mortality findings we seek to explain.     

人格特征与罗夏测验攻击变量的相关性研究

目的 探讨人格特征与罗夏测验攻击变量的相关性.方法 使用艾森克个性问卷(EPQ)和罗夏测验在225名中国人样本中进行测试.结果 EPQ中各维度与大部分罗夏测验攻击变量的相关不显著(P＞0.05),与AgC等攻击变量相关显著(P＜0.05),但相关值均较低(0.008～0.265).结论 罗夏测验攻击变量与个体的人格特征存在一定的相关性.     

Psychological correlates of gastric and duodenal ulcer disease

Psychological correlates of gastric and duodenal ulcer disease were assessed in a group of somewhat older patients with ulcer disease identified by endoscopy. Associations between both ulcer types and symptom measures (anxiety and depression) seemed only to reflect severity or chronicity of gastrointestinal symptoms or the impending endoscopy procedure. Associations with 'trait' psychological indices may be of causal significance. Duodenal ulcer patients had higher 'introversion' and 'psychoticism' scores (on the EPQ) than controls, while gastric ulcer patients had higher psychoticism scores and 'trait anxiety' scores. These findings could not be attributed to confounding variables. When the two ulcer groups were compared, the gastric ulcer group had significantly higher neuroticism, psychoticism and hostility scores which were not attributable to confounding variables. The higher depression scores in gastric ulcer patients, however, simply reflected the greater chronicity of their physical symptoms. The groups did not differ significantly on measures of trait anxiety, tension, introversion or Type A behaviour.     

Dimensions of hostility in men, women, and boys: relationships to personality and cardiovascular responses to stress.

Ratings of Potential for Hostility and Hostile Style based on responses during the Type A Structured Interview (SI) are related to incidence of coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality. As there are very limited data on what precisely the SI ratings of hostility mean, the present study evaluated, in a sample of middle-aged men and women, and adolescent boys, a) the distributions of SI ratings of hostility according to gender and age group; b) their relationships to other hostility and personality scores; and c) their relationships to heightened cardiovascular responses to psychological stressors, which are thought to be a major mechanism linking behavior and coronary heart disease. Results showed that men are higher than women and boys in Potential for Hostility and Hostile Style ratings, which are, by and large, unrelated to standardized questionnaire measures of hostility and anger expression. Men (but not women or boys) who exhibited elevated systolic blood pressure during standardized laboratory stressors tended to be rated as high on Hostile Style. We conclude that SI Hostile Style ratings are measuring a unique aspect of personality, one with apparent importance for coronary heart disease and perhaps for men's cardiovascular responses during stress.     

Cardiovascular reactivity of Singaporean male police officers as a function of task, ethnicity and hostility.

OBJECTIVE: This research examined hemodynamic processes in cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) as a function of task, ethnicity and trait hostility. METHOD: One hundred and fourteen male patrol officers from the Singapore Police Force participated in this experimental study. Trait hostility was measured using the interpersonal hostility assessment technique to derive a hostile behavior index (HBI). Heart rate, blood pressure and hemodynamic measures were taken while participants performed three tasks: mental arithmetic, number reading and anger recall (AR). RESULTS: AR elicited the greatest blood pressure, vascular and cardiac output reactivity. HBI scores were positively related to systolic blood pressure reactivity during AR for Malays whereas this was not true for Indians and Chinese. Across tasks Indians with high HBI scores appeared to be cardiac reactors whereas the reactivity patterns for Malays and Chinese were undifferentiated. Self-report of negative mood was not related to CVR. CONCLUSION: These results are consistent with the higher rates of coronary heart disease deaths among Indians as well as the higher rates for hypertension among Malays in Singapore.     

Narcissism in the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach

The Egocentricity Index (ECOI) is the oldest clinical index in the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach. According to Exner's 1993 edition of The Rorschach: A Comprehensive System the ECOI, reflections, and pairs are valid Rorschach measures of self-focus and narcissism. The present article reviews research on these indicators and concludes that they are probably unrelated to self-focus or self-esteem. Furthermore, their relationship to narcissistic personality disorder and depression has not been established. Reflection but not pair responses appear to be weakly related to psychopathy and male homosexuality. The research summary in The Rorschach is unbalanced and omits numerous negative findings.