Assessing Alcohol Expectations in University Students: the APNE Scale

The increasing prevalence of alcohol consumption at early ages has led to major efforts to identify alcohol drinking habits within this highly vulnerable group, and individuals with hazardous patterns of alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Alcohol Positive and Negative Expectations Scale (APNE; a new screening tool developed to identify expectations toward alcohol), and to examine the patterns of alcohol drinking in young adults. The sample included n = 1309 participants (college students) with age range 20 to 25 years. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) performed through Generalized Structural Equation Models (GSEM) verified the structure of the APNE, correlational models evaluated convergent-discriminant validity, and logistic regression assessed the discriminative ability to identify harmful drinking. The bifactor structure for the APNE was confirmed (positive and negative expectations toward alcohol drinking), with adequate goodness-of-fit (RMSEA = 0.052, CFI = 0.936, TLI = 0.914, and SRMR = 0.075). Multi-group modeling showed invariance by sex (p = .543) and age (p = .395) for the measurement coefficients. High correlations with external measures of alcohol use/abuse and discriminant capacity to identify harmful drinking were obtained. Compared to men, women reported higher mean scores in the negative expectations factor (p = .003). Polynomial linear trends showed that the likelihood of positive expectations toward alcohol decreased with age, while negative expectations increased. The APNE is a brief, reliable, valid, and accurate tool to assess positive and negative expectations toward alcohol consumption in college students. Tools like the APNE can support policymakers to make informed decisions about the implementation of prevention and treatment programs targeted at this segment of the population, the development of personalized alcohol programs, and the reappraisal of public campaigns.

Personality Factors and Subjective Cognitive Decline: The FACEHBI Cohort

Individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) have the perception of memory problems without showing impairment on standardized cognitive tests. SCD has been associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neuroticism and openness personality dimensions have also been associated with SCD and AD. From the aforementioned, we aimed to ascertain whether the dimensions and traits defined by the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) differentiate between individuals with SCD and the general population (GP). A total of 187 participants with SCD and mild affective symptomatology recruited from the Fundació ACE Health Brain Initiative (FACEHBI) project completed the ZKPQ. Each SCD participant was matched by sex and age to an individual from the GP. Both samples included 71 men and 116 women with a mean age of 65.9 years. Results indicated that the SCD group scored significantly lower in Neuroticism-Anxiety and Activity than the GP group. Only Activity remained statistically significant in a multivariate analysis. These findings suggest that individuals with SCD have a low energy level and a dislike for an active and busy life. From the obtained results and knowing additional physical activities may delay the conversion from normal aging to cognitive impairment, we encourage promoting this lifestyle in daily routine. The assessment of personality may result in an SCD plus feature, which may serve as an upgrading strategy for future research.

Correction to: Exploring the relation between childhood trauma, temperamental traits and mindfulness in borderline personality disorder

In the original publication of this article [1] the funding acknowledgement for grant "PI13/00134, ERDF Funds" was missing.

Exploring the relation between childhood trauma, temperamental traits and mindfulness in borderline personality disorder

BACKGROUND

Deficits in mindfulness-related capacities have been described in borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, little research has been conducted to explore which factors could explain these deficits. This study assesses the relationship between temperamental traits and childhood maltreatment with mindfulness in BPD.

METHODS

A total of 100 individuals diagnosed with BPD participated in the study. Childhood maltreatment was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), temperamental traits were assessed using the Zuckerman-Khulman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ), and mindfulness capabilities were evaluated with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ).

RESULTS

Hierarchical regression analyses were performed including only those CTQ-SF and ZKPQ subscales that showed simultaneous significant correlations with mindfulness facets. Results indicated that neuroticism and sexual abuse were predictors of acting with awareness; and neuroticism, impulsiveness and sexual abuse were significant predictors of non-judging. Temperamental traits did not have a moderator effect on the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and mindfulness facets.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide preliminary evidence for the effects of temperamental traits and childhood trauma on mindfulness capabilities in BPD individuals. Further studies are needed to better clarify the impact of childhood traumatic experiences on mindfulness capabilities and to determine the causal relations between these variables.

Predicting treatment failure in pathological gambling: the role of personality traits

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was twofold: First, to assess the personality profile of treatment-seeking adult outpatients with pathological gambling compared to a matched control group under the Alternative Five Factor Model perspective, and second, to determine which personality variables would predict treatment outcome.

METHODS

The final total sample consisted of 44 consecutive treatment-seeking pathological gamblers (PGs) and 88 controls paired by age and sex who completed the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ). Twelve months after starting an open program of individual cognitive-behavioral therapy, PGs were categorized as abstinent or treatment failure.

RESULTS

PGs scored significantly higher on Neuroticism-Anxiety. Those who had relapsed or dropped out showed higher Impulsivity and Sensation Seeking scores. Impulsivity emerged as a significant predictor of treatment failure. Treatment-seeking PGs scored higher on Neuroticism-Anxiety and Impulsivity appeared as a risk factor of relapsing or dropping out.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the importance of individual differences in personality on therapy outcomes. The ZKPQ may constitute a useful tool to identify these individual differences that might be considered when making personalized treatment decisions to improve the effectiveness and quality of treatment interventions.

Do different circadian typology measures modulate their relationship with personality? A test using the Alternative Five Factor Model

The relationship between personality and circadian typology shows some inconsistent results and it has been hypothesized that the model used to measure personality might have a moderating effect on this relationship. However, it has never been explored if this inconsistency was dependent on the questionnaire used to measure differences in circadian rhythms as well. We explored this issue in a sample of 564 university students (32% men; 19-40 years) using the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, which is based on an evolutionary-biological approach, in combination with the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM) and the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ). Both questionnaires detected differences between circadian typologies in Sociability (highest in evening types; ET) and Impulsive Sensation-Seeking scales (highest in ET), while the CSM also detected differences in Activity (lowest in ET) and Aggression-Hostility (highest in ET). Further, both questionnaires detected differences between circadian typologies in the subscales General Activity (morning types [MT] higher than ET), Impulsivity (ET highest) and Sensation-Seeking (highest in ET). Differences between circadian typologies/groups in the subscales Parties (highest in ET) and Isolation Intolerance (lowest in MT) were only detected by the rMEQ. The CSM clearly separated evening types from neither and morning types while the rMEQ showed that neither types are not intermediate but closer to evening types in General Activity and Isolation Intolerance, and closer to morning types in Impulsive Sensation-Seeking, Parties, Impulsivity and Sensation Seeking. The obtained results indicate that the relationship between circadian typology and personality may be dependent on the instrument used to assess circadian typology. This fact may help to explain some of the conflicting data available on the relationship between these two concepts.

The role of personality in the prediction of treatment outcome in pathological gamblers: a follow-up study

The aim of the present study was to determine which domains in NEO Personality Inventory-Revised would predict relapse and dropout in treatment-seeking slot-machine pathological gamblers after 1-year follow-up. The NEO PI-R was completed by 73 consecutive treatment-seeking outpatients before they began an open program of individual cognitive-behavioral therapy. Twelve months after starting treatment, patients were categorized in groups as abstinent versus relapsed or completers versus dropouts. At 1-year follow-up, 29% of patients were abstinent, and 48% had completed treatment. Those who had relapsed showed higher significant scores on Neuroticism and lower scores on Conscientiousness. The dropout group scored significantly higher on Neuroticism and lower on Agreeableness and Conscientiousness than the completer group. Low scores on Conscientiousness emerged as a significant predictor of relapse; while low scores on Conscientiousness and Agreeableness were significant predictors of dropout. It seems as if low Conscientiousness could be considered as a predictor of treatment failure measured by either relapses or dropouts, whereas, low Agreeableness seems to be a prognostic domain specifically for dropouts. Pathological gamblers with lower Conscientiousness and lower Agreeableness seem to be at risk of prematurely dropping out of treatment. Our findings support the importance of individual differences in personality on therapy outcomes. The NEO PI-R may constitute an important tool to identify treatment-seeking pathological gamblers who may be at risk of relapsing or dropping out of treatment.

Personality profile of adult ADHD: the alternative five factor model

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most frequently diagnosed disorders in childhood affecting around 3% to 5% of adults worldwide. Most of the studies have been carried out using the Five Factor Model (FFM). Given the value and importance of describing adult ADHD in terms of general personality structure for a better conceptualization of this disorder, this study contributes adding new data on an Alternative Five Factor Model (AFFM) of personality. The aim of the present study is twofold: To assess the personality profile of adults with ADHD under the AFFM perspective, and to test the discriminant validity of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) in differentiating ADHD subjects vs. normal range controls. A sample of 217 adults (64% male) meeting ADHD diagnosis (DSM-IV) was paired by age and sex with 434 normal-range controls. Logistic regression analysis showed that high scores on Neuroticism-Anxiety, Impulsivity and General Activity, and low on Work Activity were the most powerful predictors of being endorsed with an ADHD diagnosis. Results may suggest refinements in the personality assessment of ADHD as it seems that the ZKPQ provides more specific subscales for the description and conceptualization of this disorder.

[Differential personality features in adult ADHD subtypes]

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and personality traits are relatively stable from childhood and across life span. The purpose of this study was to identify differential and discriminative personality traits between clinical subtypes of ADHD in adults. The Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) and the Millon Multiaxial Clinical Inventory-II (MCMI-II) were administered to a sample of 146 adults with ADHD. Activity and Aggression-Hostility dimensions from the ZKPQ allowed us to properly classify 75.8% of the inattentive and combined subtypes. Data indicates that ADHD is not a homogeneous entity, but rather, there are significant differences in personality characteristics among clinical subtypes. The results have theoretical implications about the connection between ADHD and personality, and clinical implications regarding diagnosis and treatment designs better tailored to the characteristics of each subtype.

Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire: psychometric properties in a sample of the general population

The Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, a tool designed to measure the alternative five-factor model of personality, was translated and adapted into the Spanish language. Some psychometric results with students have already been reported, but to date, there appears to be no published data on the psychometric properties of the questionnaire in a general population sample in any culture. The aim of the present study was to provide psychometric properties for a large Spanish community sample with a wide representation of adult age-range, a representative distribution of sexes, and a balanced distribution of education within the sample. Participants volunteered and were selected on a random basis. The questionnaire was administered to 1,000 participants of both sexes (51.4% women) with ages ranging from 18 to 88 years (M = 45.4, SD = 18.7). Analysis gave a normal distribution of all scales, good internal consistencies, and discriminant validity. Sex differences were in accord with data from tests measuring similar personality traits. Finally, the original five-component structure was also replicated.

Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire: psychometric properties in a sample of the general population

The Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, a tool designed to measure the alternative five-factor model of personality, was translated and adapted into the Spanish language. Some psychometric results with students have already been reported, but to date, there appears to be no published data on the psychometric properties of the questionnaire in a general population sample in any culture. The aim of the present study was to provide psychometric properties for a large Spanish community sample with a wide representation of adult age-range, a representative distribution of sexes, and a balanced distribution of education within the sample. Participants volunteered and were selected on a random basis. The questionnaire was administered to 1,000 participants of both sexes (51.4% women) with ages ranging from 18 to 88 years (M = 45.4, SD = 18.7). Analysis gave a normal distribution of all scales, good internal consistencies, and discriminant validity. Sex differences were in accord with data from tests measuring similar personality traits. Finally, the original five-component structure was also replicated.

Spanish normative data of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire in a general population sample

The Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ), a tool designed to measure the alternative five-factor model of personality, was translated and adapted into the Spanish language. To date, there appears to be no normative data for the ZKPQ in general population samples in any culture. The aim of this study was to obtain Spanish normative data for the scales and subscales in a community sample of the general population. The questionnaire was administered to 1,678 participants of both genders (55.8 % females) with ages ranging from 18 to 93 years. The magnitude of the sample, as well as an adequate representativity of both genders and the wide age range being considered, provides a satisfactory description of each scale and subscale of this instrument. The normative data obtained showed a normal distribution of the scales. The norms (means and standard deviations) are presented by gender and five age ranges and are adjusted according to the level of education attained. Gender differences are in accordance with data obtained with instruments measuring similar personality traits. This is the first time the normative data of the ZKPQ is reported in a general community sample in any culture.

Discriminant validity of the ZKPQ in a sample meeting BPD diagnosis vs. normal-range controls

Widiger and Simonsen (2005) state that given the limitations of the categorical model of Personality Disorders classification proposals are to be expected for dimensional classifications. The purpose of this paper is to test the alternative five factorial model (AFFM) of personality in a sample with PDs. Subjects were administered the ZKPQ to test the discriminant capacity of the AFFM in classifying subjects diagnosed with BPD (n = 74) vs normal-range controls (n = 148) paired by age and sex, and identifying sensitive and/or specific dimensions that can be of help in diagnosing BPD. The results showed that high scores on N-Anx and Imp-SS, and low scores on Act are prognostic factors for being diagnosed with BPD. Likewise, this model correctly classified 88% of subjects with a kappa index of 0.73. The AFFM of personality appears to have a substantial power for predicting SCID-II interview-based BPD diagnosis.

Consensual validity parameters of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman personality questionnaire: evidence from self-reports and spouse reports

One way of validating questionnaire responses is correlating them with ratings made by external assessors who know the ratee well: This is known as consensual validity. In this study, we assessed the consensual validity of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ; Zuckerman, 2002; Zuckerman, Kuhlman, Joireman, Teta, & Kraft, 1993). A multitrait-multimethod matrix of self-reported and spouse reported personality ratings was used to establish convergent and discriminant validity by means of Campbell and Fiske's (1959) evaluative criteria. Self-reports of 86 men and 85 women were correlated with their spouses' reports. Intraclass correlations ranged from .47 to .63 for the 5 dimensions, providing strong evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. The results obtained favor the use of the ZKPQ as a valid self-report measure of personality traits.

Psychometric Properties of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire in a Spanish Sample

An important question in trait theory is how many major traits are necessary to describe personality and exactly what traits these are. Several investigators have made attempts to answer these questions with solutions of 3, 5, and even 16 primary factors. The Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) is a questionnaire aimed at the evaluation of a five-factor model, which emerged from factor analyses of scales and items. The results were five basic factors, similar in men and women: Neuroticism-Anxiety, Activity, Sociability, Impulsive Sensation-Seeking, and Aggression-Hostility. This study assesses the psychometric properties of the Catalan translation of the ZKPQ. The ZKPQ was administered to a total sample of 933 subjects with an age range from 17 to 25 years. The results obtained show good internal consistency of all the scales and good discriminant validity shown by the lack of correlation among scales. Gender differences are also in the predicted directions. Finally, the replicability of the original five-component structure was also demonstrated. The present findings show this Catalan version to be a reliable tool for research in the field of personality structure and demonstrate the cross-cultural reliability of the factor structure developed from American subjects.

Consensual Validity of the EPQ: Self-Reports and Spouse-Reports

One important question in trait theory is the concept of validity, that is, whether a given test actually measures what it is intended to measure. This is easy to establish when we have a criterion against which the test can be evaluated. Unfortunately, the criterion is not always available. One way of overcoming this problem could be to validate questionnaire responses by correlating them with ratings made by external assessors who know the ratee well: This is what is known as consensual validity. This study assesses the consensual validity of the EPQ by means of self-reports and spouse-reports. Self-reports of 198 men and women with a mean age of 35 years were correlated with their spouses' reports. Correlations ranged from .43 to .70 for the three dimensions. A multitrait-multimethod analysis showed evidence of convergent and discriminant validity in the entire sample as well as in both men and women. Two factors probably contributed to the relatively higher correlations: the psychometrical adequacy of the instrument used and the choice of well-qualified raters. The results obtained favour the use of self-reports as valid and useful methods of personality measurement.