The Prognostic Utility of Personality Traits Versus Past Psychiatric Diagnoses: Predicting Future Mental Health and Functioning

2021 ◽  
pp. 216770262110565
Author(s):  
Monika A. Waszczuk ◽  
Christopher J. Hopwood ◽  
Benjamin J. Luft ◽  
Leslie C. Morey ◽  
Greg Perlman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Case Formulation ◽  
Classification Models ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Patient Case ◽  
Prognostic Utility ◽  
Future Outcomes

Past psychiatric diagnoses are central to patient case formulation and prognosis. Recently, alternative classification models such as the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) proposed to assess traits to predict clinically relevant outcomes. In the current study, we directly compared personality traits and past diagnoses as predictors of future mental health and functioning in three independent, prospective samples. Regression analyses found that personality traits significantly predicted future first onsets of psychiatric disorders (change in [∆] R2 = .06–.15), symptom chronicity (∆ R2 = .03–.06), and functioning (∆ R2 = .02–.07), beyond past and current psychiatric diagnoses. Conversely, past psychiatric diagnoses did not provide an incremental prediction of outcomes when personality traits and other concurrent predictors were already included in the model. Overall, personality traits predicted a variety of outcomes in diverse settings beyond diagnoses. Past diagnoses were generally not informative about future outcomes when personality was considered. Together, these findings support the added value of personality traits assessment in case formulation, consistent with the HiTOP model.

In Search of the Prosocial Personality

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Wertag ◽  
Denis Bratko
Keyword(s):  
Prosocial Behavior ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Dark Triad ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Prosocial behavior is intended to benefit others rather than oneself and is positively linked to personality traits such as Agreeableness and Honesty-Humility, and usually negatively to the Dark Triad traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy). However, a significant proportion of the research in this area is conducted solely on self-report measures of prosocial behavior. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between prosociality and the basic (i.e., HEXACO) and dark personality traits, comparing their contribution in predicting both self-reported prosociality and prosocial behavior. Results of the hierarchical regression analyses showed that the Dark Triad traits explain prosociality and prosocial behavior above and beyond the HEXACO traits, emphasizing the importance of the Dark Triad in the personality space.

scholarly journals Freely Available Virtual Reality Experiences as Tools to Support Mental Health Therapy: a Systematic Scoping Review and Consensus Based Interdisciplinary Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Best ◽  
Matilde Meireles ◽  
Franziska Schroeder ◽  
Lorna Montgomery ◽  
Alan Maddock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Case Formulation ◽  
Therapeutic Value

AbstractThe primary purpose of this article is to review the potential therapeutic value of freely available VR content as an addition to the practitioners ‘toolkit’. Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) may be useful to extend existing guided imagery-based practices found in traditional mental health therapy. However, the use of VR technology within routine mental health practice remains low, despite recent reductions in equipment costs. A systematic scoping review and interdisciplinary analysis of freely available VR experiences was performed across two popular online databases (SteamVR and Oculus.com). A total of 1785 experiences were retrieved and screened for relevance with 46 meeting the inclusion criteria. VR content was then reviewed for potential therapeutic value by an interdisciplinary panel with experience across a number of therapeutic interventions including cognitive behavioural therapy, Rogerian counselling, mindfulness-based therapies. and family therapy. Eleven (22%) of the 50 freely available VR experiences were reported to have therapeutic potential as tools to support routine mental health therapy. These included support with the following mental health issues—low mood, social anxiety, stress reduction and fear of heights. Guidance of a qualified mental health practitioner was recommended in all cases to maximise the benefit of the VR experiences retrieved. While the quality is variable, freely available VR experiences may contain valuable content that could support mental health therapy. This includes as a homework activity or as an initial setting for case formulation and behavioural experiments.

Racial Discrimination Predicts Mental Health Outcomes Beyond the Role of Personality Traits in a Community Sample of African Americans

2021 ◽  
pp. 216770262095731
Author(s):  
Yara Mekawi ◽  
Courtland S. Hyatt ◽  
Jessica Maples-Keller ◽  
Sierra Carter ◽  
Vasiliki Michopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Hierarchical Regression

Despite a consistent body of work documenting associations between racial discrimination and negative mental health outcomes, the utility and validity of these findings have recently been questioned because some authors have posited that personality traits may account for these associations. To test this hypothesis in a community sample of African Americans ( n = 419, age: M = 43.96 years), we used bivariate relations and hierarchical regression analyses to determine whether racial discrimination accounted for additional variance in depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms beyond the role of personality. Bivariate relations between personality traits and racial discrimination were small and positive (i.e., rs ≈ .10). Regression results demonstrated that racial discrimination accounted for variance in depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress independent of personality traits ( ps < .01). These results suggest that personality traits do not fully explain associations between racial discrimination and negative mental health outcomes, further supporting the detrimental impact of racial discrimination on the mental health of African Americans.

scholarly journals Mental health and preventive behaviour of pregnant women in China during the early phase of the COVID-19 period

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Wang ◽  
Phoenix K. H. Mo ◽  
Bo Song ◽  
Jiang-Li Di ◽  
Feng-Rong Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Regression Analyses

Abstract Background The COVID-19 has caused significant toll over the globe. Pregnant women are at risk of infection. The present study examined the frequency of washing hands with soap and wearing face mask when going out, prevalence of depression and anxiety, and identified their associated factors among pregnant women during the early phase of COVID-19 outbreak in China. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 24 February and 3 March 2020. A total of 15 428 pregnant women who were using maternal health care services in China completed a questionnaire which assessed their socio-demographic and pregnancy-related characteristics, contextual, cognitive and social factors related to COVID-19, frequency of washing hands and wearing face masks, and depression and anxiety. Logistics regression analyses were performed to identify the associated factors of preventive behaviours and mental health. Results The prevalence of probable anxiety and depression was 28.2% and 43.6% respectively. 19.8% reported always wearing face mask when going out, and 19.1% reported washing hands with soap for more than 10 times per day. Results from logistic regression analyses showed that older age was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety (OR = 0.42–0.67) and higher frequency of washing hands (OR = 1.57–3.40). Higher level of education level was associated with probable depression (OR = 1.31–1.45) and higher frequency of wearing face mask (OR = 1.50–1.57). After adjusting for significant socio-demographic and pregnancy-related factors, place of residence being locked down (aOR = 1.10–1.11), being quarantined (aOR = 1.42–1.57), personally knowing someone being infected with COVID-19 (aOR = 1.80–1.92), perception that COVID-19 would pose long term physical harm to human (aOR = 1.25–1.28) were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety, while the perception that the disease will be under control in the coming month was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety (aOR = 0.59–0.63) and lower tendency of always wearing face mask (aOR = 0.85). Social support was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety (aOR = 0.86–0,87) and higher frequency of washing hands (aOR = 1.06). Conclusions The mental health and preventive behaviours of pregnant women during COVID-19 outbreak was associated with a range of socio-demographic, pregnancy-related, contextual, cognitive and social factors. Interventions to mitigate their mental health problems and to promote preventive behaviours are highly warranted.

scholarly journals The Emergency Assessment and Management of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-99
Author(s):  
Sindhu A. Idicula ◽  
Amy Vyas ◽  
Nicole Garber
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Levels Of Care ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
History Of ◽  
Inpatient Units

Background and Goals: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common presenting issue mental health providers experience in all levels of care from outpatient clinics to inpatient units. It is common among adolescents seen in emergency settings, either as a presenting problem or as a covert condition that may not be detected unless specifically assessed for. The presence of NSSI increases the risk of suicide. This article aims to help the clinician develop a better understanding of NSSI – what it may entail, the prevalence, and the motivations for why young people engage in it. Methods: We review the reasons adolescents injure themselves, the link between NSSI and psychiatric diagnoses and suicide, the assessment of NSSI, and treatment planning, with emphasis on ways to screen for NSSI and interventions that can be implemented in the Emergency Department. We illustrate the complexity of NSSI with the case of a young patient with a complex psychiatric history and an extensive history of self-injury. Results and Discussion: Despite the seeming intractability of NSSI, a number of evidencebased treatments exist. Treatment primarily involves specialized forms of psychotherapy, but interventions can be implemented in the ED that will reduce the immediate risk of NSSI while more definitive intervention is awaited. Conclusion: Mental health consultations in the ED should always include screening for NSSI. Mental health professionals in the ED can play an important role in the detection and treatment of this condition..

scholarly journals Exploring the antecedents of the mental health of business professionals in Sweden

Work ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 665-669
Author(s):  
Timur Uman ◽  
Pernilla Broberg ◽  
Torbjörn Tagesson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Welfare ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Business Professionals ◽  
Mental Strain ◽  
Work Related ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND: Business professionals are an important occupational group that carries responsibility for the economic welfare of organizations and of society at large. These professionals have recently been reported to be experiencing increased mental strain, which may have a significant effect on the role they play in organizations and in society. Understanding the causes of this strain is thus an important endeavour. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the antecedents of the mental health of business professionals. METHODS: Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between business professionals’ mental health and its demographic, work-related, and other triggers. T-tests and descriptive statistics were used to explore the gender of the respondents in relation to these triggers and mental health. RESULTS: Compared with their male counterparts, female business professionals report poorer mental health; however, no gender differences were found in job satisfaction or life satisfaction. According to this study, age, overtime pay, higher salary and position as a manager have a positive relation with mental health, whereas working overtime has a negative relation with mental health. Job satisfaction and life satisfaction are important determinants of the mental health of business professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Business professionals are important to the economic welfare of their organization and of society as a whole. Our study suggests that demographic characteristics, work-related aspects and subjective dimensions of well-being have a profound effect on the mental health of business professionals.

scholarly journals COVID-19 as a Stressor: Pandemic Expectations, Perceived Stress, and Negative Affect in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda R Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stress And Coping ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Objectives The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic is appraised as a stressor influences perceived stress (PS) and psychological well-being during the event. Here, the association of older adults’ expectations concerning the pandemic’s duration and impact with PS and negative affect (NA) is investigated. Based on the stress and coping framework, PS is expected to mediate the association between COVID-19 expectations and NA. Methods Seven hundred fourteen residents of the United States and aged 60 and older completed an anonymous online survey in late March 2020 reporting PS, NA, and expectations regarding the pandemic. Results Regression analyses controlling for demographic factors revealed that more dire pandemic expectations significantly predicted PS and NA directly, and the effects on NA were significantly mediated by PS. Discussion Findings provide evidence that expectations about a pandemic influence the extent to which older adults experience stress and NA in the midst of a pandemic event. Implications for mental health are discussed.

Checklist Identification of Elementary Schoolboys for Clinical Referral or Evaluation of Eligibility for Special Education

1993 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard E. Mattison ◽  
James C. Lynch ◽  
Helen Kales ◽  
Alan D. Gamble
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
General Population ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Practical Procedure ◽  
Emotional Dysfunction ◽  
Mental Health Referral ◽  
General Population Group ◽  
Clinical Referral

Achenbach and Edelbrock teacher and parent checklists were used to develop a practical procedure to assist educators in determining if a boy with behavioral/emotional dysfunction in elementary school requires mental health referral or SED evaluation. SED, psychiatric outpatient, and general population Caucasian boys ages 6 to 11 years were compared. Appropriately, scores for the SED and the outpatient groups were pathological and significantly greater than scores for the general population group on both checklists, while SED scores were significantly higher than outpatient scores on the teacher checklist. Logistic regression analyses showed the Total Problem scales of both checklists to be the most efficient and economical scales for classification. Finally, probability tables were constructed to distinguish SED and outpatient boys from general population boys, and SED boys from outpatient boys.

scholarly journals Ansiedad, depresión y malestar emocional en los profesionales sanitarios de las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 743
Author(s):  
Sandra Gómez-Martínez ◽  
Rafael Ballester-Arnal ◽  
Beatriz Gil-Juliá ◽  
Ricardo Abizanda-Campos
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Daily Contact ◽  
Emotional Effects

<p class="textoteoradef">Health Workers (HW) who work in the Intensive Care Units (ICU), are not exempt from emotional effects of coping with suffering and death situations daily. Many studies in HW have focused on the <em>burnout</em> syndrome and have presented anxiety and depression as consequences of this syndrome. The aim of this work is to assess the anxiety and depression problems, as well as the subjective perception of mood of the ICU health workers. Participants were 117 ICU health workers of a Hospital in the Valencian Community (Spain). The descriptive analyses show that between 14.6-20% and a 4-7% of participants have symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively. Differential analyses, show gender differences in several measures of anxiety, as well as on depression scores. Age and experience are related to depression and anxiety. Furthermore, we performed regression analyses to know the importance of the different variables in the presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression. The results show that working in daily contact with suffering and death, in a Unit in which the demands are many, could have implications for the mental health of professionals.</p>

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