Polish Studies on the KZ Syndrome Might Shed Additional Light on the Diagnostic Category of ‘Enduring Personality Change after Catastrophic Experience’: A Comment on Beltran et al. (2009)

In recent investigations of the neuroses by Foulds and Caine (1958, 1959), certain psychological tests were found to relate to diagnostic category (dysthymia or hysteria) whereas others were related to personality type (hysteroid or obsessoid) as rated by psychiatrists. The diagnostic measures included combinations of the Hypochondriasis (Hs), Depression (D) and Psychasthenia (Pt) scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). The measures related to personality type included psychomotor and intellectual speed measures and two specially constructed extra-punitive and intropunitive attitude scales drawn from the MMPI (Foulds, Caine and Creasey, 1960). This distinction between symptoms and traits has been discussed in some detail by Foulds (1961) and no attempt will be made to review his arguments here. In a subsequent investigation, however (Foulds, 1959), he found that following treatment of approximately one month's duration symptom measures changed in psychoneurotic women relatively more than did the personality measures. It was suggested that therapists who were dissatisfied with the mere alleviation of symptoms might try to change some of the personality scores. The implication is that changes in test measures related to symptomatology are more readily accomplished than are changes in tests related to personality traits. This differential suggests a possible parameter for comparative studies of different treatment methods. Therapies directed at personality reorganization and attitude change should produce more profound and enduring changes in the personality measures than should those therapies directed at symptom relief only. These changes should be more systematic and predictable than should those to be expected simply from the passage of time.

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Temperamental Traits and Severity of PTSD Symptoms

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000074 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 257-267 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Bogdan Zawadzki ◽

Agnieszka Popiel

Keyword(s):

Emotional Reactivity ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Diagnostic Category ◽

Personality Change ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Vehicle Accidents ◽

Individual Vulnerability ◽

Icd 10

The paper presents the results of a longitudinal study of two groups of participants of motor vehicle accidents (MVA). They were investigated twice: The first time after 1–6 months (N = 362) or 12–24 months (N = 337) after a MVA, and then 1 year after the initial assessment. We assumed that, among the environmental variables (severity of experienced trauma, trauma-related prolonged stressors, other traumatic event and social support), two temperamental traits, emotional reactivity and briskness, would be factors influencing the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder. We also assumed that, after a longer distance from the MVA, temperament would be affected by symptoms of PTSD. Analysis of the cross-lagged effects confirmed the expectations regarding the “temperamental vulnerability” to PTSD in the shorter timespan after the MVA, indicating the process of “complication” and leading to changes in temperament under the influence of the disorder. Moreover, emotional reactivity was associated concurrently with higher levels of PTSD symptoms, especially in interaction with the severity of experienced trauma. Emotional reactivity and briskness also predicted changes in symptom severity, after controlling for the initial PTSD level and especially in interaction with trauma-related prolonged stressors. We propose implications of the results in our understanding “enduring personality change after catastrophic experience” as a diagnostic category in the ICD-10 and underline the significance of temperament as a factor influencing individual “vulnerability” to trauma.

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Instruction Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication Supports: Description of Current Practices by Speech-Language Pathologists Who Work With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2019_ajslp-19-00045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 586-596 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kaitlyn A. Clarke ◽

Diane L. Williams

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Communication Systems ◽

Diagnostic Category ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Speech Language Pathologists ◽

Processing Differences

Purpose The aim of this research study was to examine common practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with respect to whether or not SLPs consider processing differences in ASD or the effects of input during their instruction. Method Following a qualitative research method, how SLPs instruct and present augmentative and alternative communication systems to individuals with ASD, their rationale for method selection, and their perception of the efficacy of selected interventions were probed. Semistructured interviews were conducted as part of an in-depth case report with content analysis. Results Based on completed interviews, 4 primary themes were identified: (a) instructional method , (b) input provided , (c) decision-making process , and (d) perceived efficacy of treatment . Additionally, one secondary theme, training and education received , was identified . Conclusions Clinicians reported making decisions based on the needs of the child; however, they also reported making decisions based on the diagnostic category that characterized the child (i.e., ASD). The use of modeling when teaching augmentative and alternative communication to individuals with ASD emerged as a theme, but variations in the method of modeling were noted. SLPs did not report regularly considering processing differences in ASD, nor did they consider the effects of input during instruction.

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Positive Adult Personality Development

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040.10.4.320 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 320-329 ◽

Cited By ~ 106

Author(s):

Ursula M. Staudinger ◽

Ute Kunzmann

Keyword(s):

Young Adulthood ◽

Personality Development ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Personality Change ◽

Developmental Tasks ◽

Adult Personality ◽

Heated Debate

Abstract. Does personality stay stable after young adulthood or is there continued change throughout middle and later adulthood? For decades, this question has caused heated debate. Over the last couple of years, a consensus has emerged based on recent cross-cultural as well as longitudinal evidence. This consensus confirms that indeed there is personality change in middle and later adulthood. Many authors have labeled this change personality maturation or growth. In somewhat simplified terms the observed pattern is as follows: neuroticism declines, conscientiousness and agreeableness increase. At the same time it has been argued that this pattern of personality change is the result of coping with the developmental tasks of adulthood and, thus, increased adjustment. We would like to examine this practice of equating developmental adjustment with growth and ask how to define personality growth. To answer this question, we consult theories of personality development as well as lifespan theory.

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