The Distressed personality type: replicability and general health associations

The Distressed personality type, identified in a cardiac population, confers risk for worse cardiac outcomes. Whether such a class of persons is identifiable in general patient populations, as well as its health correlates, remains unknown. We investigated these questions in a sample of 482 older primary care patients. Mixture structural equation modelling revealed that a Distressed Type was identifiable in Five Factor Model (FFM) personality data and associated with higher levels of medically documented multimorbidity, and worse subjective health ratings, physician assessed physical functioning and interviewer rated psychosocial functioning. In models including paths from outcomes to both traits and types, traits and types were independently associated with health outcomes, pointing towards the value of considering both approaches in epidemiologic personology research. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Focal changes in cerebral blood flow produced by a test of right-left discrimination

A sensorimotor control activation task was used to isolate the focal cerebral blood flow changes resulting from the visual and cognitive processing of a right-left discrimination task. Eleven normal right-handed males participated. The sensorimotor control task produced significant bilateral increases in flow in most cortical channels. Significant bilateral parieto-occipital activation was found for the right-left discrimination task over and above the flow changes produced by the sensorimotor control task. The left occipital flow increase resulting from the right-left discrimination task was found to be negatively related to task performance. An inverse relationship was also found between WAIS Performance IQ and the blood flow change in the left parietal channel. These results suggest areas for further testing concerning potential individual differences in cognitive processing during the performance of a right-left discrimination task.     

Fetal exposure to androgens,as indicated by digit ratios (2D:4D), increases men’s agreeableness with women

The ratio of the length of the second finger, or digit, to the fourth finger (2D:4D) is influenced by fetal exposure to androgens; a smaller ratio indicates greater androgen exposure. We used event contingent recording to investigate the relation between the 2D:4D ratio and social behavior. Participants completed multiple records of their behavior in events in naturalistic settings; records included information about situational features such as the gender of the person with whom the person was interacting. Men were more agreeable towards women than men; this effect was significantly greater in those with smaller 2D:4D ratios. Men with smaller 2D:4D ratios were also less quarrelsome towards women than towards men. The 2D:4D ratio did not influence social behavior in women. The hormonal environment in which the male fetal brain develops may influence adult social behavior in specific contexts.     

A one-year prospective investigation of Type D personality and self-reported physical health

Objective: Type D personality is characterised by negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI), and is often associated with poorer physical and psychological health. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear and the literature lacks longitudinal assessment. Therefore, the aim was to prospectively examine the relationships between Type D and physical symptoms, in addition to aspects of retrospective health.

Design: An online questionnaire-based study (N?=?535) with a one-year follow-up (N?=?160) was conducted with healthy individuals (18–65 years). Type D was assessed as both a categorical and dimensional construct.

Main outcome measures: Participants completed the Type D scale-14 (DS14), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Cohen–Hoberman Inventory of Physical Symptoms (CHIPS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at both phases. Retrospective health questions and the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) were also completed at follow-up.

Results: Type D was independently related to cardiac/sympathetic, metabolic, vasovagal, muscular and headache symptoms at baseline. At follow-up stressful events and anxiety mediated the relationships between Type D and particular symptoms. Type Ds were more likely to report poorer health, increased minor illnesses, work absences, and medical information seeking.

Conclusions: Type D is associated with symptoms often linked to stress. Although the relationships appear to be primarily driven by NA, these findings support the theory of a stress-related mechanism potentially underpinning the Type D-health relationship. These findings contribute to the literature continuing to highlight Type D personality as a risk factor for negative health outcomes.