Personality features in ultra-high risk for psychosis: A comparative study with schizophrenia and control subjects using the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fresán, Ana; León-Ortiz, Pablo; Robles-García, Rebeca; Azcárraga, Mariana; Guizar, Diana; Reyes-Madrigal, Francisco; Tovilla-Zárate, Carlos Alfonso; de la Fuente-Sandoval, Camilo
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric research. Volume 61(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 168
• Page End: 173
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Temperament -- Character -- Ultra-high risk -- Prodromal -- Schizophrenia -- Harm avoidance; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Maladies mentales -- Périodiques; Psychiatry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.12.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3956

Abstract

Abstract: Several variables have been identified as risk factors for conversion to overt psychosis in ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR) individuals. Although almost two-thirds of them do not experience a transition to psychosis, they still exhibit functional disabilities. Other subjective developmental features may be useful for a more precise identification of individuals at UHR. Avoidant behaviors are consistently reported in schizophrenia and in UHR individuals and may be the reflection of a pattern of personality. Thus, personality features in UHR individuals deserves further research. The objective of the present study was to compare temperament and character dimensions between UHR individuals, patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. One hundred participants (25 UHR individuals, 25 schizophrenia patients and 50 control subjects) where evaluated with the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). Univariate ANOVAs followed by Bonferroni tests were used. UHR individuals and schizophrenia patients exhibited higher levels of Harm Avoidance (HA) when compared to control subjects. For HA1 Anticipatory worry vs Uninhibited optimism and HA4 Fatigability & asthenia, UHR and schizophrenia groups showed similar scores and both groups were higher compared to control subjects. With respect to Cooperativeness (CO), UHR and schizophrenia reported lower scores than control subjects, in particular CO2 Empathy vs Social disinterest and CO3 Helpfulness vs unhelpfulness . This study replicates and extends the consideration of HA as a psychopathological related endophenotype and gives us further information of the possible role of personality features in the expression of some of the social dysfunctions observed both in prodromal subjects and schizophrenia patients. Highlights: Avoidant, socially detached and amotivated personalities can be considered as schizophrenia-related endophenotypes. Personality features in ultra-high-risk (UHR) for psychosis individuals deserve further research. The psychobiological model of personality may help to understand some features related to the prodromal phase of psychosis. Higher harm avoidance and lower cooperativeness gives information of the social dysfunctions observed in UHR and schizophrenia patients.