A longitudinal study of facets of extraversion in depression and social anxiety

 I must have a lot of positive affectivity since I haven't been depressed a day in my life even with stroke, getting fired and divorced in a span of 8 years. So ask your competent? doctor how to get positive affectivity.

A longitudinal study of facets of extraversion in depression and social anxiety

Author links open overlay panelPhilip Spinhoven ^{a b}

, , , ,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.07.014

Get rights and content

Highlights

• •

  Facet-level analysis increases understanding of personality-disorder relations.

• •

  Depression is highly associated with lack of positive affectivity.

• •

  Social anxiety is moderately strong associated with lack of positive affectivity.

• •

  Social anxiety is also moderately strong associated with low sociability.

• •

  Increasing positive emotions in depression and social anxiety seems promising.

Abstract

The present study examines the relationship of lower level facets of extraversion with depression and social anxiety. A sample of 2942 adults aged 18–65, consisting of healthy controls, persons with a prior history of emotional disorders, and persons with a current emotional disorder were assessed at baseline (T0) and 2 (T2) and 4 years (T4) later. At each wave anxiety and depressive disorder according to DSM-IV criteria, symptom severity and facets of extraversion (positive affectivity, sociability and activity) were assessed. Using structural equation modeling we found that trait depression had a large association with lack of positive affectivity, while trait social anxiety showed moderately strong associations with both low sociability and lack of positive affectivity. Facet-level analyses increase the specification of associations of personality constructs with particular forms of psychopathology. Given the role of positive emotions in resilience against depression and possibly social anxiety, interventions directly aimed at increasing positive emotions seem warranted.

Introduction

The assumption that personality is related to mental health has generated a long tradition of research. A recent comprehensive review of the associations of higher order personality traits in the Big Three and Big Five models (i.e., neuroticism, extraversion, disinhibition, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness) and depressive, anxiety, and substance use disorders in adults, showed that all diagnostic groups score high on neuroticism and low on conscientiousness. Many disorders are also associated with low levels of extraversion, with the largest effect sizes for dysthymic disorder and social anxiety disorder (Kotov, Gamez, Schmidt, & Watson, 2010).

Most of the literature on personality and emotional disorders has focused on the broad traits of neuroticism and extraversion. Whereas different disorders may be characterized by similar general levels of neuroticism or extraversion, more powerful or more specific associations with psychopathology might exist at the lower levels in the personality trait hierarchy (Klein, Kotov, & Bufferd, 2011). Examining these relations at both trait and facet levels is necessary to identify the specific level driving a given association (Naragon-Gainey, Watson, & Markon, 2009).

Here we will focus on facets of extraversion in relation to depression and social anxiety as these disorders have shown consistent relationships with the general trait of extraversion in numerous previous studies (Kotov et al., 2010). Extraversion can be conceptualized as a multidimensional higher order trait that includes interpersonal/social as well as positive emotional aspects (Watson & Clark, 1997). Although facets of extraversion are named differently and inconsistently in the literature, extraversion typically includes the following major facets: affiliation (warmth and gregariousness), positive affectivity (joy and enthusiasm), energy (liveliness and activity), and ascendance (exhibitionism and dominance) (Watson & Clark, 1997). In relation to depression and social anxiety it is pertinent to understand whether the higher order trait of extraversion is the most relevant level to understand depression and social anxiety or whether lower order facets yield additional and more specific information to understand their interrelationships.

Only a very limited number of studies have simultaneously assessed the relation of different facets of extraversion with depression or social anxiety, with mixed results. Examining the six extraversion facets of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R; Costa & McCrae, 1992), Bienvenu et al. (2004) found that persons diagnosed with life time depression only scored lower on assertiveness than controls in a community sample, while persons with life time social phobia obtained lower scores for all facets, in particular for warmth and positive affectivity. Using multiple regression analyses only low warmth as one of the extraversion facets of the NEO PI-R predicted severity of depression in acutely depressed persons (Costa, Bagby, Herbst, and McCrae, 2005), whereas only low positive affectivity was predictive of depression severity in college students (Chioqueta & Stiles, 2005). Of special note is a recent study of Naragon-Gainey et al. (2009), who found that symptoms of social anxiety were related to all four analyzed facets of extraversion (sociability, ascendance, positive emotionality, fun-seeking), whereas depressive symptom severity correlated strongly only with low positive emotionality. Although this study, in contrast to the earlier study of Bienvenu et al. (2004), did control for the high co-variation of depression with social anxiety, the study was limited to self-report severity measures and no formal psychiatric diagnoses were made. Data on the association of facets of extraversion with psychiatric diagnoses of depression, social anxiety and other disorders while accounting for their high comorbidity are in need of further investigation (Naragon-Gainey et al., 2009, Watson and Naragon-Gainey, 2010). Moreover, as self-reported levels of extraversion are contaminated by the presence of a depressive or social anxiety disorder (Spinhoven, van der Does, Ormel, Zitman, & Penninx, 2013), a longitudinal study allowing the examination of associations between stable levels of extraversion, depression and social anxiety may attenuate this contamination because of state effects.

To summarize, the overall aim of the present longitudinal study is to assess the importance of lower order facets of extraversion (i.e., positive affectivity, sociability and activity) in depression and social anxiety. More specifically, we will investigate: (a) which facets of extraversion characterize depression and social anxiety compared to other emotional disorders and controls; and (b) which facets of extraversion show differential relations with depression and social anxiety. We expected lower positive affectivity and lower sociability in depression and social anxiety compared to other anxiety disorders and controls. Moreover, we expected lower levels of positive affectivity in depression than in social anxiety, and lower levels of sociability in social anxiety than in depression.

Study finds certain personality traits can predict dementia

 Did your competent? doctor explain this to you so you can work on preventing dementia post stroke? NO? So you don't have a functioning stroke doctor, do you?

I'm extremely good at the positive ones.

Your chances of getting dementia. YOUR DOCTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PREVENTING THIS!

1. A documented 33% dementia chance post-stroke from an Australian study?   May 2012.

2. Then this study came out and seems to have a range from 17-66%. December 2013.`    

3. A 20% chance in this research.   July 2013.

4. Dementia Risk Doubled in Patients Following Stroke September 2018

The latest here:

Study finds certain personality traits can predict dementia

A new study titled “Can Personality Traits Predict Dementia?” looks at various personality traits and their correlation with whether or not the person with them is more or less likely to develop dementia. The study, conducted by researchers from Northwestern University and the University of California, Davis, involved analyzing data from 44,531 participants who were part of eight longitudinal studies conducted across three continents and five countries. The researchers focused on personality traits such as conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, positive affect, and negative affect. The data was combined and harmonized to examine whether personality traits and subjective reports of well-being influenced the neuropsychological and neuropathological characteristics of dementia. (1)

 

Neuroticism, low conscientiousness, and negative affect were linked to an increased risk of dementia, while conscientiousness, extraversion, and positive affect were associated with a lower risk. Interestingly, no consistent associations were found between personality traits and dementia-related brain changes. It is important to note that the samples used in the study were predominantly from the United States, which presents a limitation in terms of generalizability across diverse populations.

 

Before continuing to talk about the study, let's quickly define what the personality traits mentioned in the study actually mean:©Provided by The Hearty Soul

• Conscientiousness: A trait associated with the tendency to be responsible, organized, hard-working, goal-directed, and to adhere to norms and rules. These people tend to exhibit self-control, industriousness, responsibility, and reliability. (2)
• Extraversion: A trait associated with a general tendency to experience positive emotions, as well as traits such as sociability, assertiveness, high activity level, positive emotions, and impulsivity. (3)
• Neuroticism: the trait disposition to experience negative affects, including anger, anxiety, self‐consciousness, irritability, emotional instability, and depression. Persons with elevated levels of neuroticism respond poorly to environmental stress, interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and can experience minor frustrations as hopelessly overwhelming. (4)
• Positive Affect: PA is characterized by joy and high levels of energy, concentration, enthusiasm, and alertness. (5)
• Negative Affect: NA is characterized by distress, anger, contempt, and nervousness or fear.

The results of this study provide valuable insights into the potential predictive power of personality traits in relation to dementia. Identifying these risk factors earlier could assist in the development of targeted interventions and personalized strategies to mitigate the risk of developing dementia. The findings also highlight the need for further research to explore these associations using biomarkers of dementia and in more diverse and inclusive populations.

 

If you possess certain personality traits, it is important to be aware of their potential implications in relation to dementia. Individuals who exhibit neuroticism, low conscientiousness, or negative affect may be at an increased risk of developing dementia. On the other hand, those high in conscientiousness, extraversion, or positive affect may have a reduced risk. Understanding these associations can act as a trigger for individuals to take proactive steps in monitoring their cognitive health and adopting lifestyle choices that may help reduce the risk of dementia.

 

Dementia is a broad term used to describe a range of symptoms that result from progressive brain damage. It affects memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for around 60-70% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia is a significant public health issue, not only for individuals and families affected but also for healthcare systems and society as a whole. (6)  

 

Personality Traits: A Surprising Factor in Dementia Risk

 With your chances of dementia is your doctor informing you of the ways to prevent it?

Your chances of getting dementia.

1. A documented 33% dementia chance post-stroke from an Australian study?   May 2012.

2. Then this study came out and seems to have a range from 17-66%. December 2013.`    

3. A 20% chance in this research.   July 2013.

4. Dementia Risk Doubled in Patients Following Stroke September 2018 

The latest here:

Personality Traits: A Surprising Factor in Dementia Risk

Summary: Researchers revealed that certain personality traits, such as conscientiousness, extraversion, and positive affect, can reduce the likelihood of a dementia diagnosis.

This comprehensive analysis involved over 44,000 people, with 1,703 developing dementia. Surprisingly, the researchers found no correlation between these protective personality traits and brain pathology in deceased individuals, suggesting these traits may enhance resilience to dementia-related impairments.

This study highlights the potential of targeting personality traits in interventions to lower long-term dementia risk, emphasizing the role of non-genetic factors in dementia development.

Key Facts:

1. Positive personality traits like conscientiousness and extraversion are linked to a lower dementia risk.
2. The study analyzed data from over 44,000 individuals, providing a broad perspective on the issue.
3. No direct link was found between these personality traits and brain pathology, suggesting a resilience mechanism at play.

Source: UC Davis

People with personality traits such as conscientiousness, extraversion and positive affect are less likely to be diagnosed with dementia than those with neuroticism and negative affect, according to a new analysis by researchers at the University of California, Davis and Northwestern University.

The difference was not linked to physical damage to brain tissue found in dementia patients, but more likely to how certain personality traits help people navigate dementia-related impairments.

The work is published Nov. 29 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Previous studies have tried to establish links between personality traits and dementia, but these were mostly small and represented only specific populations, said Emorie Beck, assistant professor of psychology at UC Davis and first author on the paper.

“We wanted to leverage new technology to synthesize these studies and test the strength and consistency of these associations,” Beck said. If those links hold up, then targeting personality traits for change in interventions earlier in life could be a way to reduce dementia risk in the long term, she said.

Beck and colleagues analyzed data from eight published studies including over 44,000 people, of whom 1,703 developed dementia. They looked at measures of the “big five” personality traits  (conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, neuroticism and agreeableness) and subjective wellbeing (positive and negative affect, and life satisfaction) compared to clinical symptoms of dementia (performance on cognitive tests) and brain pathology at autopsy.

Personality is typically thought to be linked to dementia risk through behavior, Beck said. For example, people who score high on conscientiousness may be more likely to eat well and take care of their health, which results in better health in the long term.

The researchers found that high scores on negative traits (neuroticism, negative affect) and low scores on positive traits (conscientiousness, extraversion, positive affect) were associated with a higher risk of a dementia diagnosis. High scores on openness to experience, agreeableness, and life satisfaction had a protective effect in a smaller subset of studies.

Link to diagnosis but not pathology

To their surprise, however, no link was found between these personality traits and actual neuropathology in the brains of people after death.

“This was the most surprising finding to us,” Beck said. “If personality is predictive of performance on cognitive tests but not pathology, what might be happening?”

One explanation is that some personality traits could make people more resilient to the damage caused by diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

People with higher levels of some traits may find ways, whether they are aware of it or not, to cope with and work around impairments. Other work by members of the study team has shown that some people with quite extensive pathology can show little impairment on cognitive tests.

The researchers also looked at other factors that could moderate the relationship between personality and dementia risk and neuropathology, including age, gender and educational attainment.

“We found almost no evidence for effects, except that conscientiousness’s protective effect increased with age,” Beck said.

Many factors contribute to the development of dementia. Among those that aren’t directly related to genetics, this study is a first step in teasing out the associations between personality and dementia, Beck said.

The researchers plan to continue and expand the work, including looking at people who show little impairment in the face of a lot of pathology. They also hope to look at other everyday factors that might play a role in developing dementia.

Part of the work was conducted while Beck was a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University in Chicago. Coauthors are: Tomiko Yoneda, UC Davis and Northwestern; Daniel Mroczek and Eileen Graham, Northwestern; Bryan James, David Bennett and John Morris, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Jason Hassenstab, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis; Mindy Katz and Richard Lipton, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the Bronx.

Funding: The work was supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging.

About this personality and dementia research news

Author: Andrew Fell
Source: UC Davis
Contact: Andrew Fell – UC Davis
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News