Beyond BMI: Personality Traits’ Associations With Adiposity and Metabolic Rate

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kadri Arumäe ◽  
René Mõttus ◽  
Uku Vainik
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Personality Trait ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Psychological Traits ◽  
Neo Personality Inventory ◽  
Metabolic Characteristics ◽  
Metabolic Marker ◽  
Polygenic Scores ◽  
Metabolic Variables

Various personality traits are known to correlate with body mass index (BMI). However, rarely have studies looked beyond BMI to understand how adiposity and other metabolic characteristics relate to psychological traits. We explored personality traits’ phenotypic and genetic associations with basal metabolic rate (BMR) and an improved index of adiposity—relative fat mass (RFM)—and assessed how personality traits’ associations with RFM differ from their associations with BMI. In a subsample of the Estonian Biobank (N = 3,535), we correlated RFM, BMI, and BMR, as well as their polygenic scores, with the five domains and 30 facets of NEO Personality Inventory-3. Various traits, notably Openness and its facets, associated with RFM above and beyond BMI. Assertiveness consistently correlated with BMR, mirroring associations with conceptually similar traits in non-human animals, but not with RFM as may have been expected based on previous studies. Genetic analyses suggested that some personality trait–metabolic marker associations have genetic bases while others may be environmental in origin. The use of BMI can lead to both attenuated and inflated estimates of personality trait–adiposity associations. Personality traits may be involved in the development of overweight, but metabolic variables may additionally contribute to differences in personality traits.

scholarly journals Educational Attainment and Personality Are Genetically Intertwined

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 1631-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
René Mõttus ◽  
Anu Realo ◽  
Uku Vainik ◽  
Jüri Allik ◽  
Tõnu Esko
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Personality Trait ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Maximum Amount ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Psychological Traits ◽  
Polygenic Scores

Heritable variance in psychological traits may reflect genetic and biological processes that are not necessarily specific to these particular traits but pertain to a broader range of phenotypes. We tested the possibility that the personality domains of the five-factor model and their 30 facets, as rated by people themselves and their knowledgeable informants, reflect polygenic influences that have been previously associated with educational attainment. In a sample of more than 3,000 adult Estonians, education polygenic scores (EPSs), which are interpretable as estimates of molecular-genetic propensity for education, were correlated with various personality traits, particularly from the neuroticism and openness domains. The correlations of personality traits with phenotypic educational attainment closely mirrored their correlations with EPS. Moreover, EPS predicted an aggregate personality trait tailored to capture the maximum amount of variance in educational attainment almost as strongly as it predicted the attainment itself. We discuss possible interpretations and implications of these findings.

scholarly journals Educational attainment and personality are genetically intertwined

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
René Mõttus ◽  
Anu Realo ◽  
Uku Vainik ◽  
Jüri Allik ◽  
Tõnu Esko
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Personality Trait ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Maximum Amount ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Psychological Traits ◽  
Polygenic Scores

AbstractHeritable variance in psychological traits may reflect genetic and biological processes that are not necessarily specific to these particular traits but pertain to a broader range of phenotypes. We tested the possibility that Five-Factor Model personality domains and their 30 facets, as rated by people themselves and their knowledgeable informants, reflect polygenic influences that have been previously associated with educational attainment. In a sample of over 3,000 adult Estonians, polygenic scores for educational attainment (EPS; interpretable as estimates of molecular genetic propensity for education) were correlated with various personality traits, particularly from the Neuroticism and Openness domains. The correlations of personality traits with phenotypic educational attainment closely mirrored their correlations with EPS. Moreover, EPS predicted an aggregate personality trait tailored to capture maximum amount of variance in educational attainment almost as strongly as it predicted the attainment itself. We discuss possible interpretations and implications of these findings.

scholarly journals Predicting Addiction Susceptibility Based on Big Five Personality Traits

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Zeighami ◽  
Seyede Marzieh Hosseini ◽  
Navid Mohammadi ◽  
Saeed Shahsavari
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Regression Coefficients ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Traits ◽  
Neo Personality Inventory ◽  
Spss Software

Background: Addiction is one of the most prominent problems and the fourth leading crisis worldwide. In Iran, this issue is more complicated because of increasing young population in this country. Objectives: This study aimed to predict addiction susceptibility regarding students’ personality traits at Qazvin universities. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 227 students from Qazvin universities were selected using the multistage random stratified sampling method. Data collection tools were demographic information form, Addiction Susceptibility questionnaire (ASQ), and NEO personality inventory. After collecting the required data, SPSS software version 21 was used to analyze the data by running variance analysis and paired sample t-test. Results: In this study, neuroticism (P = 0.031) and openness (P = 0.043) with regression coefficients of 0.584 and 0.586 had positive and significant effects on addiction susceptibility, respectively. In contrast, extraversion (P = 0.023), agreeableness (P = 0.038), and consciousness (P < 0.001) with regression coefficients of -0.639, -0.186, and -1.342 had negative and significant effects on addiction susceptibility, respectively. Conclusions: The findings revealed a significant relationship between personality traits and addiction susceptibility. Accordingly, the aforementioned psychological traits must be empathized in educational, preventive, and therapeutic programs so that the vulnerable groups, including students, would receive some help.

scholarly journals Taking risks to feel excitement: Detailed personality profile and genetic associations

2021 ◽  
pp. 089020702110192
Author(s):  
Liisi Ausmees ◽  
Maie Talts ◽  
Jüri Allik ◽  
Uku Vainik ◽  
Timo T. Sikka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Association Studies ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Risk Tolerance ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Item Score ◽  
Neo Personality Inventory ◽  
Marker Score ◽  
Polygenic Scores

This study mapped the personality and genetics of risky excitement-seekers focusing on skydiving behavior. We compared 298 skydivers to 298 demographically matched controls across the NEO Personality Inventory-3 domains, facets, and 240 items. The most significant item-level effects were aggregated into a poly-item score of skydiving-associated personality markers (Study 1), where higher scores describe individuals who enjoy risky situations but have no self-control issues. The skydiving-associated personality marker score was associated with greater physical activity, higher rate of traumatic injuries, and better mental health in a sample of 3558 adults (Study 2). From genetic perspective, we associated skydiving behavior with 19 candidate variants that have previously been linked to excitement-seeking (Study 1). Polymorphisms in the SERT gene were the strongest predictors of skydiving, but the false discovery rate-adjusted (FDR-adjusted) p-values were non-significant. In Study 2, we predicted the skydiving-associated personality marker score and E5: Excitement-seeking from multiple risk-taking polygenic scores, using publicly available summary data from genome-wide association studies. While E5: Excitement-seeking was most strongly predicted by general risk tolerance and risky behaviors’ polygenic scores, the skydiving-associated personality marker score was most strongly associated with the adventurousness polygenic scores. Phenotypic and polygenic scores associations suggest that skydiving is a specific—perhaps more functional—form of excitement-seeking, which may nevertheless lead to physical injuries.

scholarly journals Taking Risks to Feel Excitement: Detailed Personality Profile and Genetic Associations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liisi Ausmees ◽  
Maie Talts ◽  
Jüri Allik ◽  
Uku Vainik ◽  
Timo Tõnis Sikka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Association Studies ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Risk Tolerance ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Item Score ◽  
Neo Personality Inventory ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Polygenic Scores

This study mapped the personality and genetics of risky excitement-seekers focusing on skydiving behavior. We compared 298 skydivers to 298 demographically matched controls across the NEO Personality Inventory-3 domains, facets and 240 items. The most significant item-level effects were aggregated into a poly-item score of skydiving-associated personality markers (SPM; Study 1), where higher scores describe individuals who enjoy risky situations but have no self-control issues. The SPM score was associated with greater physical activity, higher rate of traumatic injuries and better mental health in a sample of 3,558 adults (Study 2). From genetic perspective, we associated skydiving behavior with 19 candidate variants that have previously been linked to excitement-seeking (Study 1). Polymorphisms in the SERT gene were the strongest predictors of skydiving, but the FDR-adjusted p-values were non-significant. In Study 2, we predicted SPM and E5: Excitement-seeking from risk-taking polygenic scores (PGS), using publicly available summary data from genome-wide association studies. While E5: Excitement-seeking was most strongly predicted by general risk tolerance and risky behaviors’ PGSs, SPM was most strongly associated with the adventurousness PGS. Phenotypic and PGS associations suggest that skydiving is a specific — perhaps more functional — form of excitement-seeking, which may nevertheless lead to physical injuries.

scholarly journals Tracking eye-gaze in smart home systems (SHS): first insights from eye-tracking and self-report measures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Cassioli ◽  
Laura Angioletti ◽  
Michela Balconi
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Smart Home ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Visual Exploration ◽  
Living Room ◽  
Psychological Traits

AbstractHuman–computer interaction (HCI) is particularly interesting because full-immersive technology may be approached differently by users, depending on the complexity of the interaction, users’ personality traits, and their motivational systems inclination. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between psychological factors and attention towards specific tech-interactions in a smart home system (SHS). The relation between personal psychological traits and eye-tracking metrics is investigated through self-report measures [locus of control (LoC), user experience (UX), behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS)] and a wearable and wireless near-infrared illumination based eye-tracking system applied to an Italian sample (n = 19). Participants were asked to activate and interact with five different tech-interaction areas with different levels of complexity (entrance, kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom) in a smart home system (SHS), while their eye-gaze behavior was recorded. Data showed significant differences between a simpler interaction (entrance) and a more complex one (living room), in terms of number of fixation. Moreover, slower time to first fixation in a multifaceted interaction (bathroom), compared to simpler ones (kitchen and living room) was found. Additionally, in two interaction conditions (living room and bathroom), negative correlations were found between external LoC and fixation count, and between BAS reward responsiveness scores and fixation duration. Findings led to the identification of a two-way process, where both the complexity of the tech-interaction and subjects’ personality traits are important impacting factors on the user’s visual exploration behavior. This research contributes to understand the user responsiveness adding first insights that may help to create more human-centered technology.

scholarly journals An fMRI investigation of the relations between Extraversion, internalizing psychopathology, and neural activation following reward receipt in the Human Connectome Project sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtland S. Hyatt ◽  
Emily S. Hallowell ◽  
Max M. Owens ◽  
Brandon M. Weiss ◽  
Lawrence H. Sweet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Personality Trait ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Levels Of Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Neural Activation ◽  
Internalizing Psychopathology ◽  
Human Connectome Project

Abstract Quantitative models of psychopathology (i.e., HiTOP) propose that personality and psychopathology are intertwined, such that the various processes that characterize personality traits may be useful in describing and predicting manifestations of psychopathology. In the current study, we used data from the Human Connectome Project (N = 1050) to investigate neural activation following receipt of a reward during an fMRI task as one shared mechanism that may be related to the personality trait Extraversion (specifically its sub-component Agentic Extraversion) and internalizing psychopathology. We also conducted exploratory analyses on the links between neural activation following reward receipt and the other Five-Factor Model personality traits, as well as separate analyses by gender. No significant relations (p < .005) were observed between any personality trait or index of psychopathology and neural activation following reward receipt, and most effect sizes were null to very small in nature (i.e., r < |.05|). We conclude by discussing the appropriate interpretation of these null findings, and provide suggestions for future research that spans psychological and neurobiological levels of analysis.

A Comparison of Two Five-Factor Model Operationalizations of the Triarchic Model of Psychopathy in a Clinical Sample

Assessment ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107319112110061
Author(s):  
Jared R. Ruchensky ◽  
M. Brent Donnellan ◽  
Christopher J. Hopwood ◽  
John F. Edens ◽  
Andrew E. Skodol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Neo Personality Inventory ◽  
Neo Personality Inventory Revised ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Triarchic Model

Structural models of personality traits, particularly the five-factor model (FFM), continue to inform ongoing debates regarding what personality attributes and trait domains are central to psychopathy. A growing body of literature has linked the constructs of the triarchic model of psychopathy (boldness, meanness, disinhibition) to the FFM. Recently, researchers developed both item and regression-based measures of the triarchic model of psychopathy using the NEO Personality Inventory–Revised—a popular measure of the FFM. The current study examines the correlates of these two FFM-derived operationalizations of the triarchic model using data from the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study. The two approaches had strong convergent validity coefficients and similar patterns of criterion-related validity coefficients. Meanness related to greater personality pathology characterized by exploitation of others and poor attachment, whereas disinhibition related to indicators of greater negative affect and poor behavioral constraint. Boldness related to reduced negative affect and greater narcissistic personality traits. Although the item and regression-based approaches showed similar patterns of associations with criterion-variables, the item-based approach has some practical and psychometric advantages over the regression-based approach given strong correlations between the meanness and disinhibition scores from the regression approach.

Effects of Teachers' Marital Status and Child's Family's Marital Status on Teachers' Ratings of a Child

1986 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 959-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Goldstein-Hendley ◽  
Virginia Green ◽  
James R. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Marital Status ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Personality Trait ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Family Background ◽  
Family Status ◽  
Trait Rating

The purposes of this study were to assess whether knowledge of a child's family's marital status (divorced home/intact home/family status unknown) and/or teachers' marital status (single/divorced) would affect teachers' ratings of that child's personality traits and predicted behaviors. The study also sought to determine whether raters' marital status and knowledge of family background interacted with these teachers' ratings. The subjects were 27 married and 27 divorced teachers of preschool through Grade five. To test the hypotheses, two instruments were employed. The Personality Trait Rating Scale and the Predicted Behavior in School Scale were used by the teachers to rate behaviors of a 5-yr.-old child observed on a videotape. Knowledge of the child's family's marital status had no significant effect on teachers' ratings on either test. Teachers' own marital status had no significant effect on ratings, and no interaction was noted. Contrary to some earlier research, teachers were not biased in their ratings by knowledge of a child's family's marital status. Similarly, married teachers who had not experienced the divorce process themselves were no more positively or negatively biased in their ratings than were the divorced teachers.

scholarly journals The genetic background of the associations between sense of coherence and mental health, self-esteem and personality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karri Silventoinen ◽  
Eero Vuoksimaa ◽  
Salla-Maarit Volanen ◽  
Teemu Palviainen ◽  
Richard J. Rose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Risk Tolerance ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Psychological Traits ◽  
Polygenic Scores

Abstract Purpose Sense of coherence (SOC) represents coping and can be considered an essential component of mental health. SOC correlates with mental health and personality, but the background of these associations is poorly understood. We analyzed the role of genetic factors behind the associations of SOC with mental health, self-esteem and personality using genetic twin modeling and polygenic scores (PGS). Methods Information on SOC (13-item Orientation of Life Questionnaire), four mental health indicators, self-esteem and personality (NEO Five Factor Inventory Questionnaire) was collected from 1295 Finnish twins at 20–27 years of age. Results In men and women, SOC correlated negatively with depression, alexithymia, schizotypal personality and overall mental health problems and positively with self-esteem. For personality factors, neuroticism was associated with weaker SOC and extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness with stronger SOC. All these psychological traits were influenced by genetic factors with heritability estimates ranging from 19 to 66%. Genetic and environmental factors explained these associations, but the genetic correlations were generally stronger. The PGS of major depressive disorder was associated with weaker, and the PGS of general risk tolerance with stronger SOC in men, whereas in women the PGS of subjective well-being was associated with stronger SOC and the PGSs of depression and neuroticism with weaker SOC. Conclusion Our results indicate that a substantial proportion of genetic variation in SOC is shared with mental health, self-esteem and personality indicators. This suggests that the correlations between these traits reflect a common neurobiological background rather than merely the influence of external stressors.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document