Search

Research consistently demonstrates that people can distort their responses on self‐report personality tests. Informant‐reports (where a knowledgeable informant rates a target's personality) can be used as an alternative to self‐ratings. However, there has been little research on the extent to which informants can distort their responses on personality tests (or their motives for response distortion). The current study examines the effects of experimentally induced response distortion on self‐ and informant‐reports of the Dark Triad. The participants (N = 834 undergraduates) completed Dark Triad measures in a 2 × 3 between‐person design crossing format (self‐ vs. informant‐report [imagined friend]) with instruction condition (answer honestly, look good, or look bad). "Look good" effects were significant for both self‐reports (d = −1.22 to 1.42) and informant‐reports (d = −1.35 to 0.62). "Look bad" effects were also significant for both self‐reports (d = −0.56 to 3.58) and informant‐reports (d = −0.55 to 3.70). The Five Factor Machiavellianism Inventory results were opposite to hypotheses, but Dirty Dozen Machiavellianism results were as expected. We conclude that people can distort Dark Triad scores for themselves (self‐report) and on behalf of someone else (informant‐report). We discuss the relevance of our findings for self‐ and informant‐report assessment in applied contexts. Practitioner Points: The study demonstrates that informants can distort their responses on Dark Triad personality domains, highlighting the need for scrutiny in informant‐reports and self‐reports.By manipulating instructions to "look good" and "look bad," the study found significant effects of faking on both self‐reports and informant‐reports of the Dark Triad domains.Results of this study emphasize the importance of considering response distortion in the assessment of the Dark Triad, especially in high‐stakes real‐world contexts, to ensure accurate score interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Veganism and anarchism are burgeoning worldwide, yet very few studies have examined the psychological characteristics of people belonging to these two anti‐oppression groups. The present study investigated whether vegans and anarchists, on the one hand, and activists and non‐activists belonging to these two groups, on the other hand, exhibit distinct personality profiles. To this end, a sample of 180 adults who self‐identify as vegans or anarchists completed an online socio‐demographic questionnaire, the HEXACO Personality Inventory, and the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen. A discriminant function analysis showed that anarchists are more likely than vegans to self‐identify as belonging to a gender other than female or male, or to identify with no gender at all. Further, the proportion of men was larger in the anarchist group than in the vegan group. In terms of personality traits, vegans scored higher on the Conscientiousness, Emotionality, and Honesty–Humility dimensions than anarchists did. Anarchists scored higher than vegans on Openness to Experience and Psychopathy. Activists and non‐activists were not distinguished based on gender or personality traits. While the dynamics of power and oppression toward humans and toward animals share common factors, the present results suggest that veganism and anarchism attract anti‐oppression advocates with distinct personality profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Fijian 'Bula Smile' is often described as the world's friendliest; however, its description remains anecdotal. Objective: This study aimed to describe and compare the dynamics of Fijians' smiles with those of New Zealand Europeans. Methods: An observational study was conducted on two ethnic groups, Fijians (FJ; N = 23) and New Zealand Europeans (NZ; N = 23), age‐ and gender‐matched. All participants were asked to watch amusing videos, and their reactions were video recorded. The videos were analysed by software to assess the frequency, duration, intensity and genuineness of smiling episodes. Based on the Facial Action Coding System, Action Unit 6 (AU6—cheek raiser), Action Unit 12 (AU12—lip corner puller) and Action Unit 25 (AU25—lips apart) were assessed. Data were analysed by generalised linear models after adjusting for personality traits. Results: Fijians smiled longer than New Zealand Europeans (+19.9%; p =.027). Mean intensity of AU6 (+1.0; 95%CIs = 0.6–1.5; p <.001), AU12 (+0.5; 95%CIs = 0.1–0.9; p =.008) and AU25 (+22.3%; 95%CIs = 7.3%–37.3%; p =.005) were significantly higher in FJ group than the NZ group. Conclusion: Smiling features of Fijians and New Zealanders showed objective differences, the most distinctive being a higher activation of the Duchenne's marker (AU6) in the Fijian group, which is regarded as a sign of smile genuineness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classification of personality disorder (PD) is undergoing a paradigm shift in which categorically defined specific PDs are being replaced by dimensionally defined maladaptive trait domains. To bridge the classificatory approaches, this study attempts to use items from the categorical PD model in DSM‐IV to measure the maladaptive trait domains described in DSM‐5 Section III/ICD‐11. A general population sample comprising 1228 participants completed the Screening Questionnaire of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Axis II (SCID‐II‐SQ), the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5 (PID‐5), and the anankastia scale of the Personality Inventory for ICD‐11 (PiCD). Using item response theory models and a psychometric linking technique, SCID‐II‐SQ items were evaluated for their contribution to measuring maladaptive trait domains. The best discriminating items were then selected to derive proxy scales. We found that convergent validity of these proxy scales was in a similar range to that of other self‐report measures for PD, except for the proxy scale for PiCD anankastia. However, only the proxy scale for negative affectivity showed acceptable reliability that would allow its application in research settings. Future studies should seek to establish a common metric between specific PDs and maladaptive trait domains using self‐report measures with higher specificity or semi‐structured interviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality testing is a critical component of organizational assessment and selection processes. Despite nearly a century of research recognizing faking as a concern in personality assessment, the impact of order effects on faking has not been thoroughly examined. This study investigates whether the sequence of administering personality and cognitive ability measures affects the extent of faking. Previous research suggests administering personality measures early in the assessment process to mitigate adverse impact; however, models of faking behavior and signaling theory imply that test order could influence faking. In two simulated applicant laboratory studies (Study 1 N = 172, Study 2 N = 174), participants were randomly assigned to complete personality measures either before or after cognitive ability tests. Results indicate that participants who completed personality assessments first exhibited significantly higher levels of faking compared to those who took cognitive ability tests first. These findings suggest that the order of test administration influences faking, potentially due to the expenditure of cognitive resources during cognitive ability assessments. To enhance the integrity of selection procedures, administrators should consider the sequence of test administration to mitigate faking and improve the accuracy of personality assessments. This study also underscores the need for continued exploration of contextual factors influencing faking behavior. Future research should investigate the mechanisms driving these order effects and develop strategies to reduce faking in personality assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What can employers learn from personality tests when applicants have incentives to misrepresent themselves? Using a within‐subject, laboratory experiment, we compare personality measures with and without incentives for misrepresentation. Incentivized personality measures are weakly to moderately correlated with non‐incentivized measures in all treatments. When test‐takers are given a job ad indicating that an extrovert (introvert) is desired, extroversion measures are positively (negatively) correlated with IQ. Among other characteristics, only locus of control appears related to faking on personality measures. Our findings highlight the identification challenges in measuring personality and the potential for correlations between incentivized personality measures and other traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Train driving is a demanding form of human performance where inattention or distraction can lead to serious errors and accidents. Train drivers, therefore, require a unique set of abilities to deal with these demands, especially when exposed to competing or conflicting performance expectations (e.g., on‐time performance and following safety rules). Cognitive abilities, in particular, are considered essential to safe and effective train driving. Selective attention is one such ability, however, other cognitive abilities can be equally important. Drawing on self‐control theory, this article examines the combined effect of selective attention, fluid intelligence, and verbal reasoning on train driving performance. The results of a study involving 101 experienced train drivers indicates that drivers with low selective attention, low fluid intelligence, and low verbal reasoning perform worse on a train simulator driving assessment than drivers who are higher in these cognitive abilities. The results from this study provide direction for future rail safety research and guidance for practitioners responsible for assessing and selecting train drivers. Practitioner points: Safe and effective train driving performance relies on drivers with high selective attention, fluid intelligence, and verbal reasoning abilities.The combination of these three cognitive abilities explains 28% of the variance in train driving performance.Cognitive ability tests, unlike personality tests, cannot be "faked good" by job candidates making them ideal for train driver selection purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In May 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) added burn out to the list of occupational phenomena in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐11). Soon thereafter, in March 2020, a global pandemic of SARS‐COV‐2 was declared. Objective: To investigate the interplay between transformational leadership, a proactive personality, employee proactive behaviors, and burn out in the field of physiotherapy during the SARS‐COV‐2 pandemic. Methods: Physiotherapists working at the Meuhedet Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) were asked to fill an online cross‐sectional survey, in which they were asked to evaluate the transformational behavior of their manager and to assess their own burn out rate, degree of self‐efficacy, proactive personality, and proactive behaviors. Eighty‐one physical therapists (average age of 37.3 years (SD = 9.0)) responded to the survey, most of whom were female (67.9%, n = 55). Results: Transformational leadership and proactive personality were negatively associated with occupational burn out (β = −0.231, p < 0.05, β = −0.243, p < 0.05, respectively) among physiotherapists. The effect of the interaction between transformational leadership and proactive personality on proactive behaviors at work was not significant. However, a strong, significant positive relationship was found between proactive personality and proactive behaviors (β = 0.425, p < 0.001), and between self‐efficacy and proactive behaviors (β = 0.479, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This up‐to‐date survey of transformational leadership and proactive personality among physiotherapists highlights these traits' important impact on burn out and proactive behaviors during the SARS‐COV‐2 pandemic. Furthermore, the transformational manager plays an important role in reducing burnout levels among physiotherapists, especially during a crisis such as the SARS‐COV‐2 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classroom observation has been long considered a powerful tool for evaluating and monitoring teachers' performance and progress. Teachers can benefit from the feedback during the postobservation conference but giving feedback is not a simple skill and needs knowledge and training. Research on tackling postobservation problems remains emerging and the aim of this study is to explore the role that a teacher's personality type–based on DiSC personality test‐ might play in postobservation conferences and reaction to receiving feedback from the supervisor. To gather data, 20 nonnative EFL teachers were asked to take the DiSC personality test to have their personality types identified, then they were observed three times, and each time they received feedback on their classroom management techniques. Results indicate that teachers with different personality types act differently during the postobservation conferences. While D and i styles are active and tend to employ feedback moderately and strongly in their classes, S and C styles are mostly passive with the tendency of employing feedback moderately and weakly. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of personality types in teachers' tolerance of criticism and their tendency to apply the received feedback in their future classes. Practitioner points: Teachers with different personality types act differently during the postobservation conferences.Teachers with the same personality types act mostly similarly during the postobservation conferences.The findings facilitate the process of feedback giving by owning several assumptions about each personality type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rooted in research into personality, we propose that the Big Five traits would be related to fear of COVID‐19 (FOC), which in turn would lead to heightened job burnout, reduced job satisfaction, and decreased performance. Utilizing a three‐wave time‐lagged design, we collected our data from employees working in the United States and Canada (N = 300 × 3). We found good support for our hypotheses. Extraversion, neuroticism, and conscientiousness had significant direct effects on FOC. Fear of COVID‐19 was positively related to job burnout and negatively related to job satisfaction and performance. Extraversion, neuroticism, and conscientiousness had significant indirect effects on burnout, job satisfaction, and job performance via FOC. Hence, this study identifies a key mechanism, an individual's worry about losing their valuable resources (e.g. their health, and that of their family members and friends, etc.), through which selected dimensions of personality might affect employees' work outcomes. We discuss our findings and provide suggestions for future research in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite broad consensus about multicultural experience's benefits, there is a lack of research on the antecedents to multicultural experiences. Research has indicated that awe shifts attention away from the self toward larger entities, which could include elements of other cultures. Methods: Four studies (N = 2915) tested whether trait, daily, and induced awe promoted multicultural experience. Results: Studies 1–2 (adolescents, young, middle, and older adults) showed that trait awe predicted greater multicultural identity and experience independent of other positive emotions and openness. Study 3 (students & adults in U.S. & Malaysia) demonstrated that daily awe predicted more daily multicultural experience independent of yesterday's multicultural experience. These results were explained by trait and daily curiosity. Study 4 (adults) found that induction of awe increased state multicultural identity and experience via state curious emotions and then state curious personality. Conclusion: We found that experiencing more awe can be a tool for enhancing the multicultural experience. The discussion focuses on the implications for future research on awe and multicultural experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To what extent do personality traits predict wealth in adulthood over and above standard demographic factors? In all 3240 adults in the UK completed a Big Five personality test and reported on their property wealth, savings and investments, and their physical valuable items. We also had data on their age, education, household income and gender. Correlations and regressions showed that the demographics, particularly age and income were, as expected clearest correlates of wealth. Conscientious was positively and agreeableness, neuroticism and extraversion were negatively associated with savings and investments. The data pointed clearly to conscientiousness as the most important personality trait in wealth accumulation. Implications of these results as well as limitations of the study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forced‐choice format tests have been suggested as an alternative to Likert‐scale measures for personnel selection due to robustness to faking and response styles. This study compared degrees of faking occurring in Likert‐scale and forced‐choice five‐factor personality tests between South Korea and the United States. Also, it was examined whether the forced‐choice format was effective at reducing faking in both countries. Data were collected from 396 incumbents participating in both honest and applicant conditions (NSK = 179, NUS = 217). Cohen's d values for within‐subjects designs (dswithin) for between the two conditions were utilized to measure magnitudes of faking occurring in each format and country. In both countries, the degrees of faking occurring in the Likert‐scale were larger than those from the forced‐choice format, and the magnitudes of faking across five personality traits were larger in South Korea by from 0.07 to 0.12 in dswithin. The forced‐choice format appeared to successfully reduce faking for both countries as the average dswithin decreased by 0.06 in both countries. However, the patterns of faking occurring in the forced‐choice format varied between the two countries. In South Korea, degrees of faking in Openness and Conscientiousness increased, whereas those in Extraversion and Agreeableness were substantially decreased. Potential factors leading to trait‐specific faking under the forced‐choice format were discussed in relation to cultural influence on the perception of personality traits and score estimation in Thurstonian item response theory (IRT) models. Finally, the adverse impact of using forced‐choice formats on multicultural selection settings was elaborated. Practitioner Points: The benefit of using forced‐choice formats for cross‐cultural selection settings is not yet clear because there is a lack of scholarly evidence on the performance of forced‐choice formats with respect to faking occurring in different cultures.With the use of a forced‐choice format personality test, the magnitudes of faking decreased in the United States for all five personality traits, whereas the magnitudes of faking occurring in Openness and Conscientiousness increased in South Korea.Potential factors leading to trait‐specific faking under the forced‐choice format can be related to cultural influences on the perception of personality traits and score estimation in Thurstonian item response theory (IRT) models.Practitioners should consider cultural differences in how applicants view target constructs if a forced‐choice format is considered for cross‐cultural/international personnel selection settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used an American sample collected over a period of approximately 2 decades (at 3 time points) to examine the temporal relationships between psychological well‐being and personality traits (i.e., neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience). The random‐intercept cross‐lagged panel model was used to separate between‐person and within‐person sources of variation. Between‐person correlations were comparable to those of previous studies. New insights were gained at the within‐person level. There were reciprocal relationships between psychological well‐being and openness and extraversion, suggesting the joint development of plasticity‐related traits and well‐being over time. The relationships between psychological well‐being and conscientiousness and agreeableness were unidirectional, with psychological well‐being preceding these traits. Despite a strong between‐person association between neuroticism and psychological well‐being, the two were not related at the within‐person level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, titled "AFS Social Events Part II: Guide for Introverts," discusses the challenges that introverted individuals face when attending large social events, such as the Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society (AFS). The author, who identifies as an introvert, acknowledges the discomfort and overwhelming nature of these events, particularly for those new to the field. To help introverts navigate these situations, the author provides a list of tips and strategies, including initiating conversations, using humor, and finding common ground with other attendees. The article aims to provide support and guidance for introverted individuals attending AFS social events. [Extracted from the article]

Personality is both a reflection of the bio‐behavioral profile of individuals and a summary of how they typically interact with their physical and social world. Personality is usually defined as having distinct behavioral characteristics, which are assumed to be consistent over time and across contexts. Like other mammals, primates have individual differences in personality. Although temporal consistency is sometimes measured in primates, and contextual consistency is sometimes measured across experimental contexts, it is rare to measure both in the same individuals and outside of experimental settings. Here, we aim to measure both temporal and contextual consistency in chimpanzees, assessing their personality with behavioral observations from naturally occurring contexts (i.e., real‐life settings). We measured personality‐based behaviors in 22 sanctuary chimpanzees, in the contexts of feeding, affiliation, resting, and solitude, across two time periods, spanning 4 years. Of the 22 behaviors recorded, about 64% were consistent across two to four contexts and 50% were consistent over time. Ten behaviors loaded significantly onto three trait components: explorativeness, boldness‐sociability, and anxiety‐sociability, as revealed by factor analysis. Like others, we documented individual differences in the personality of chimpanzees based on reliably measured observations in real‐life contexts. Furthermore, we demonstrated relatively strong, but not absolute, temporal, and contextual consistency in personality‐based behaviors. We also found another aspect of individual differences in personality, specifically, the extent to which individual chimpanzees show consistency. Some individuals showed contextual and temporal consistency, whereas others show significant variation across behaviors, contexts, and/or time. We speculate that the relative degree of consistency in personality may vary within chimpanzees. It may be that different primate species vary in the extent to which individuals show consistency of personality traits. Our behavioral‐based assessment can be used with wild populations, increasing the validity of personality studies, facilitating comparative studies and potentially being applicable to conservation efforts. Research Highlights: Chimpanzees show consistency in their personality‐based behaviors across naturally occurring contexts and over time.Individuals show different contextual and temporal consistency of their personality‐based behavior profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigma attached to schizophrenia among patients is a global concern to mental health advocates. The extent of internalized stigma experienced by consumers with schizophrenia living in the community and its correlates have not been fully explored. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of high internalized stigma and its association with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, personality traits and aspects of health‐related quality of life among community‐dwelling consumers with schizophrenia. A descriptive, correlational study with a cross‐sectional design was conducted with 149 consumers from outpatient psychiatric clinics of two hospitals in Taiwan. Face‐to‐face interviews with structured questionnaires were adopted. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, chi‐squares tests, independent t‐tests and a binary logistic regression analysis. Approximately 41.6% of consumers with schizophrenia experienced high internalized stigma. In the subscales, a high experience of discrimination experience (43.6%) was reported, followed by alienation (34.2%), social withdrawal (28.2%), stereotype endorsement (24.8%) and stigma resistance (20.8%). Being younger at the onset of schizophrenia, attaining lower education, having a history of suicidality, fewer positive personality traits and poor aspects of health‐related quality of life were significantly associated with high internalized stigma. Personality traits in the domains of emotional stability and conscientiousness and social and environmental aspects of health‐related quality of life appeared to be the most relevant to risk of high internalized stigma. Anti‐stigma initiatives coupled with personality‐traits modules and modifications of health‐related quality of life are suggested for mental health professionals and policy makers to ameliorate internalized stigma among community‐dwelling consumers with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersive movements are often thought to be multicausal and driven by individual body size, sex, conspecific density, environmental variation, personality, and/or other variables. Yet such variables often do not account for most of the variation among dispersive movements in nature, leaving open the possibility that dispersion may be indeterministic. We assessed the amount of variation in 24 h movement distances that could be accounted for by potential drivers of displacement with a large empirical dataset of movement distances performed by Fowler's Toads (Anaxyrus fowleri) on the northern shore of Lake Erie at Long Point, Ontario (2002–2021, incl.). These toads are easy to sample repeatedly, can be identified individually and move parallel to the shoreline as they forage at night, potentially dispersing to new refuge sites. Using a linear mixed‐effect model that incorporated random effect terms to account for sampling variance and inter‐annual variation, we found that all potential intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of movement accounted for virtually none of the variation observed among 24 h distances moved by these animals, whether over short or large spatial scales. We examined the idea of movement personality by testing variance per individual toad and found no evidence of individuality in movement distances. We conclude that deterministic variables, whether intrinsic or extrinsic, neither can be shown to nor are necessary to drive movements in this population over all spatial scales. Stochastic, short time‐scale movements, such as daily foraging movements, can instead accumulate over time to produce large spatial‐scale movements that are dispersive in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Studies have examined the association between personality and health behaviour, but research focusing exclusively on regular dental visits has yet to be conducted. This study examined the association between personality traits and regular dental visits among Japanese community‐dwelling older adults. Methods: The participants in this cross‐sectional study included 1,057 community‐dwelling older adults aged 65–74 years from Ranzan and Yoshimi towns; data were collected from October to November 2015 and October to November 2016, respectively. Interviews were conducted to obtain sociodemographic, income, occupation and medical data. The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence was used to assess higher‐level competence; general intelligence was also evaluated. The 'Big Five' personality traits—openness to experience, consciousness, neuroticism, extraversion and agreeableness—were also examined. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between regular dental visits and personality traits. Results: Among men, the number of natural teeth, current employment status and conscientiousness were associated with dental care utilization. Among women, the number of natural teeth, current annual income, the intellectual activity domain of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence and openness were significant. Conclusions: The factors associated with regular dental visits differed by gender. Overall, work was associated with men's visits, whereas intellectual activity and economic factors were relevant to women. Factors such as personality traits should be considered when addressing barriers to oral health. Understanding personality traits will help practitioners more effectively encourage older adults to make dental visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although borderline symptoms show a normative decline throughout adulthood, severe psychosocial impairment often remains. Identifying personality pathology in college‐age students may help prevent "adaptive failure" that can occur during the critical period of development from puberty through the late 20s and thus reduce impairment later in life. The aims of the current study were to estimate the prevalence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in a diverse college sample, determine which symptoms confer the greatest relative risk of screening positive for BPD and examine the utility of the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5 brief form (PID‐5‐BF) in identifying BPD. Participants were 1456 undergraduate students, and 312 individuals (21.4% of the sample) screened positive for BPD. Chronic feelings of emptiness conferred the greatest relative risk of any symptom; students who endorsed this symptom were 15 times more likely to screen positive for BPD than those who did not. Scales and composite scores of the PID‐5‐BF demonstrated diagnostic accuracy ranging from sufficient to excellent. The current study contributes to literature concerning best practices in screening for personality pathology in young adults. Results suggest that chronic feelings of emptiness are significant for detecting at‐risk students and implications for the use of the PID‐5‐BF are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a potential for a long‐lasting psychological and social impact from the COVID‐19 pandemic. Recently, the COVID‐19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale (C19‐ASS) has been developed, which measures individuals' coping mechanisms in relation to the fear or threat of COVID‐19. The C19‐ASS was developed and has been used so far only in Western samples. Further psychometric evaluation is needed in ethnically diverse samples. Therefore, the current study sought to test the psychometric properties in a large sample of Iranians (n = 1429; female = 52.1%; Mean age = 35.83, ±12.89) who completed a cross‐sectional survey. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the Persian C19‐ASS has a two‐factor structure corresponding to the perseveration and avoidance subscales of the original scale. Confirmatory factor analyses also supported a two‐factor solution, which showed a firm model fit and high internal consistencies. Furthermore, it showed excellent divergent validity from generalized anxiety, indicating that it is concerned explicitly with COVID‐19, supported by correlational analyses and exploratory factor analysis. Test of incremental validity indicated the Persian C19‐ASS explained more variance in functional impairment and COVID‐19 anxiety than the gender, marital and educational status, generalized anxiety, neuroticism, openness, consciousness and having lost someone close due to COVID‐19. Also, based on a mediation test, it was found that C19‐ASS mediates the relationship between the Big Five personality traits (except openness and consciousness) and health anxiety, generalized anxiety, depression and COVID‐19 anxiety. Overall, the current findings provide further evidence for the construct of the COVID‐19 anxiety syndrome. The COVID‐19 anxiety syndrome is discussed in light of the S‐REF model that provides an explanatory framework for this pandemic‐related construct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Item response theory (IRT) is a class of latent variable models, which are used to develop educational and psychological tests (e.g., standardized tests, personality tests, tests for licensure and certification). We offer readers with comprehensive overviews of the theory and applications of IRT through two articles. While Part 1 of the review discusses topics such as foundations of educational measurement, IRT models, item parameter estimation, and applications of IRT with R, this Part 2 reviews areas of test scores based on IRT. The primary focus is on presenting various topics with respect to test equating such as equating designs, IRT‐based equating methods, anchor stability check methods, and impact data analysis that psychometricians would deal with for a large‐scale standardized assessment in practice. These analyses are illustrated in Example section using data from Kolen and Brennan (2014). We also cover the foundation of IRT, IRT‐based person ability parameter estimation methods, and scaling and scale score. This article is categorized under:Applications of Computational Statistics > PsychometricsSoftware for Computational Statistics > Software/Statistical Software [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although personality strengths are assessed frequently in occupational and managerial settings and in children, they have been less used in studies of personality disorder. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of a measure of personality strengths derived from the comprehensive version of the Personality Assessment Schedule (CPAS) (i.e., positive and reinforcing traits) on clinical symptoms and functioning. Eighty‐nine patients with anxiety and depression seen at the 30‐year follow‐up point in a cohort study (Nottingham Study of Neurotic Disorder) were administered the Comprehensive version of the PAS (CPAS). A factor analysis of the results determined the main groupings and their impact on long‐term outcomes as well as their association with change of outcomes over 30 years. Five positive factors (strengths), forceful considerateness, emotional toughness, cautiousness, independence and discernment accounted for 67.2% of the variance using both Varimax and Promax rotations. Low positive scores were strongly associated with suicide attempts, moderate/severe personality disorder, cothymia (mixed anxiety‐depression), greater symptomatology and poor social function. High scores were protective of serious pathology and particularly effective in inhibiting suicidal behaviour. The promotion of personality strengths may be of value in preventing suicidal behaviour and helping pro‐social change in those with personality disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two hundred ten patients with anxiety and depressive disorders were followed up over 30 years. Personality status was assessed at baseline using the Personality Assessment Schedule (PAS), an instrument that classifies personality disorder in a similar way to the new ICD‐11 classification. Assessments of suicidal behaviour were made at 5, 12 and 30 years and suicidal thoughts at 12 and 30 years and analysed by personality status, clinical diagnosis and scores on the General Neurotic Syndrome Scale, a combined diagnosis of mixed anxiety depression and personality dysfunction. Suicide attempts were most frequent in the first 5 years of the study and reduced over time. Baseline personality status was the best predictor of suicide attempts at 5 years (no personality disorder 29.3%, personality disorder 51.6%, p = 0.006), and at 12 years (no personality disorder 11.9%, personality disorder 25.7%, p = 0.042), but no important differences were found at 30 years, when comorbid mental state disorder was the strongest predictor (p < 0.001). Similar but less marked findings were found for the general neurotic syndrome. It is concluded that the presence of personality disorder is a robust predictor of suicidal behaviour in the shorter term but in the long‐term comorbid pathology is a better predictor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that During the 1990s, publications on personality disorders in the elderly began to appear. In 2006, the handbook ‘Personality disorders and older adults: diagnosis, assessment and treatment' was published. Despite these contributions to the literature, the concept of late personality disorders is still unclear, which can impact on the management of patients with this diagnosis.

The Conditional Reasoning Test for Aggression (CRT‐A) indirectly measures the implicit motive to aggress by engaging respondents in inductive reasoning tasks. Most research involving the CRT‐A has been based on the original English version of the test with most data being collected in the United States. The purpose of the current paper is to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Dutch translation of this test and to examine if it could be used to predict measures of integrity. In the first of two studies, we evaluated the psychometric properties and measurement equivalence of the CRT‐A across US and Dutch samples. In the second study, we examined validity evidence for the Dutch version of the CRT‐A. Results from Study 1 indicated that the test was mostly equivalent across cultures (i.e. limited differential item functioning was detected). Results from Study 2 demonstrated that the Dutch version of the CRT‐A was correlated with measures of behavioral integrity and provided incremental prediction of integrity over and above traditional self‐report measures of explicit personality traits. We discuss the implications for using CRTs across different cultures and languages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the relationship between personality and depressive disorders (DD) or substance use disorders (SUD) often refer to the normal personality model and focus mainly on the "big" factors. Domain level results with the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5 (PID‐5) tend to be consistent with NEO‐PI‐R or NEO‐FFI results, however facet level results in the specific characteristics of these disorders are scarce. The main objective of this study was to characterize DD and SUD's maladaptive personality traits through the PID‐5. A sample of DD was compared with a sample of SUD, with a sample of other disorders, and with a community sample. A sample of the general Portuguese population (N = 693) and a heterogeneous clinical sample (N = 310) were studied. Participants responded to the PID‐5 and to the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Depressivity, Irresponsibility and Anhedonia were the main characteristics of DD. However, high values in Depressivity and in depressive symptomatology were present in all the clinical subsamples. Irresponsibility, Deceitfulness and Callousness were the main characteristics of SUD. The occurrence of DD, SUD or Other disorders could be predicted using multinonomial logisitic regression analysis, and PID‐5 facets as independent variables. These results are in line with comorbidity data and tend to confirm the PID‐5 validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Associations between personality traits and life outcomes are usually studied using the Big Five domains and, occasionally, their facets. But recent research suggests these associations may be driven by the items (reflecting personality nuances) chosen to measure these traits. Using a large dataset (N = 6126), we examined associations with 53 self‐reported outcomes using domains, facets and items (markers for nuances), training and validating models in different sample partitions. Facets better predicted outcomes than domains (on average, 18.0% versus 16.6% of variance explained), but items provided the most accurate predictions (on average 20.9%). Removing domain and facet variance from items had no effect on their predictive validity, suggesting that outcome‐related information was often in items' unique variances (i.e., nuance‐specific). Item‐based prediction also showed the highest discriminant validity. These observations, replicating previous findings, suggest that personality traits' valid associations with outcomes are often driven by narrow personality nuances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Item response theory (IRT) is a class of latent variable models, which are used to develop educational and psychological tests (e.g., standardized tests, personality tests, tests for licensure, and certification). We review the theory and practices of IRT across two articles. In Part 1, we provide a broad range of topics such as foundations of educational measurement, basics of IRT, and applications of IRT using R. We focus particularly on the topics that the mirt package covers. These include unidimensional and multidimensional IRT models for dichotomous and polytomous items with continuous and discrete factors, confirmatory analysis and multigroup analysis in IRT, and estimation algorithms. In Part 2, on the other hand, we focus on more practical aspects of IRT, namely scoring, scaling, and equating. This article is categorized under:Applications of Computational Statistics > PsychometricsSoftware for Computational Statistics > Software/Statistical Software [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habits are automatic responses to learned stimuli or contextual cues that are insensitive to goals. Although habits may allow for automated behaviours that increase efficiency in our daily lives, an over‐reliance on habits has been suggested to contribute to disorders such as obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). There are currently few established measures of individual differences in habitual tendencies. To fill this gap, the present study generated and validated a novel 11‐item scale, the Habitual Tendencies Questionnaire (HTQ), to measure individual differences in habitual tendencies in the general population. In Study 1, factor analysis revealed three underlying subcomponents of the HTQ: Compulsivity, Preference for Regularity, and Aversion to Novelty, with Compulsivity showing the strongest association with subclinical OCD symptomatology. Study 2 validated the HTQ and replicated the findings of Study 1 in a larger sample, and explored relationships with other personality traits. The results emphasise the importance of measuring individual variation in habitual thinking styles, illustrating that different facets of habitual tendencies may contribute to diverse behavioural and clinical outcomes. The present investigation provides a new, reliable way of measuring habitual tendencies and has important implications for future explorations into the nature of individual differences from a dimensional perspective to psychiatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the prevalence of nurse‐patient disputes and the influencing factors based on an analysis of patient characteristics. Design: A cross‐sectional study. Methods: This study used the convenience sampling method. Three self‐designed questionnaires based on clinical experience and literature review were used to collect the current status of nurse‐patient disputes and to assess patients' humanistic qualities and patients' recognition of nursing work. The Big Five personality questionnaire was used to assess the five personality traits of patients. Results: Of the patients, 9.6% reported having a dispute with nurses. The results of binary logistic regression analysis indicated that patients' humanistic quality, recognition of nursing work and agreeableness in personality traits had a negative predictive effect on nurse‐patient disputes, while family monthly income and neuroticism in personality traits positively predicted disputes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal personality has received increasing interest and acknowledgment within ecological research over the past two decades. However, some areas are still poorly studied and need to be developed. For instance, field studies focused on invertebrates are currently highly underrepresented in the literature. More studies including a wider variety of traits measured and species tested are needed to improve our understanding of trait‐correlation patterns and generalities. We studied nine behavioral traits, in the damselfly Calopteryx splendens, from an array of three experiments: (i) courtship, (ii) aggressiveness, and (iii) boldness, and calculated their repeatability. The behaviors were measured twice in two different contexts: (i) undisturbed territory and (ii) partially deteriorated territory. Traits related to courtship and boldness were all repeatable across the two contexts. Among aggressive behaviors, only one trait (number of hits) was repeatable. This work demonstrates, for the first time, the presence of within‐population personality differences in an adult damselfly in the wild. We further propose C. splendens as a promising model species for testing personality in the wild under highly controlled environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Peritonitis is a critical complication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Patient characteristics, especially conscientiousness, potentially influence self‐care activity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the peritonitis risk and the patient conscientiousness. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at three Japanese medical centres in 2018. Adult patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis were evaluated for conscientiousness with the Japanese version of the Ten‐Item Personality Inventory. We followed the patients from peritoneal dialysis induction retrospectively on chart review. The primary outcome was time to first episode of peritonitis after initiation of peritoneal dialysis in the entire observation period. Hazard ratios were estimated using a Cox model adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Among 111 patients enrolled, 32 experienced peritonitis. The patients were divided into the more conscientious group (n = 64) and less conscientious group (n = 47) based on a mean conscientiousness score of 3.991. Additionally, less conscientious patients tended to be at higher risk for peritonitis during the entire study period (hazard ratio adjusted for age and sex, 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.98–4.03; p =.057). The increased risk in the less conscientious group was statistically significant in the first year (adjusted hazard ratio, 6.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.42–34.40; p =.017). Conclusion: Less conscientious patients significantly have shorter peritonitis‐free survival in the early phase after peritoneal dialysis induction although not significantly during the entire study period. Personality trait assessment using the Ten‐Item Personality Inventory could be helpful in educating and following up patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. SUMMARY AT A GLANCE: Less conscientious patients have significantly lower peritonitis‐free survival rate in the early phase after PD initiation, which highlights the importance of personality trait assessment to improve patients' awareness during PD training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines a new personality assessment scoring approach labeled supervised forced choice scoring (SFCS), which aims to maximize construct validity of forced choice (FC) personality assessments. SFCS maximally weights FC responses to predict or "reproduce" honest, normative, and reliable personality scores using machine learning. In this proof of concept study, a graded response FC assessment was tested across several samples, and SFCS resulted in psychometric improvements over traditional FC scoring. Correlations with aligned single‐stimulus trait scores (taken honestly) were strong, both when the FC measure was taken honestly and when taken in induced applicant settings. SFCS scores also exhibited small shifts in average scores between honest and faked conditions and were predictive of organizational citizenship behaviors, employee engagement, and leadership emergence at work. Although SFCS showed merit in this proof of concept study, it is unclear how well results will generalize to new FC measures, and we urge more research on this scoring method. Practitioner points: Forced choice (FC) personality assessments are thought to be more faking resistant than single‐stimulus, Likert personality measures. However, there are measurement challenges when scoring FC assessments, and there may be opportunities to improve upon the construct validity of current FC scoring.This paper examined a new personality assessment scoring approach labeled supervised forced choice scoring (SFCS), which aims to maximize construct validity of FC personality assessments. Specifically, SFCS maximally weights FC responses to predict or "reproduce" honest, normative, and reliable personality scores using machine learning (ML). The use of ML in this way helps leverage variance from all FC personality responses when estimating each trait, accounts for complex item‐trait relationships should they exist, and develops algorithms explicitly designed to account for faking.In this proof of concept study, a graded response FC assessment was tested across several samples, and SFCS resulted in psychometric improvements over traditional FC scoring. Notably, correlations with aligned single stimulus trait scores (taken honestly) were strong, both when the FC measure was taken honestly and when taken in induced applicant settings. SFCS scores also exhibited small shifts in average scores between honest and faked conditions and were predictive of organizational citizenship behaviors, employee engagement, and leadership emergence at work.Initial SFCS findings are favorable, suggesting this method of FC scoring should be considered for future use. However, although SFCS showed merit in this proof of concept study, it is unclear how well results will generalize to new FC measures, and we urge more research on this scoring method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Researchers have used within‐subjects designs to assess personality faking in real‐world contexts. However, no research is available to (a) characterize the typical finding from these studies and (b) examine variability across study results. Aims: The current study was aimed at filling these gaps by meta‐analyzing actual applicants' responses to personality measurements in high‐stakes contexts versus low‐stakes contexts reported in within‐subjects studies. Materials & Methods: This meta‐analysis examined 20 within‐subjects applicant–honest studies (where individuals completed an assessment once as applicants and again in a low‐stakes setting). Results: We found that applicants had moderately higher (more socially desirable) means, slightly reduced variability, and stronger rank‐order consistency in high‐stakes settings. The assessment order moderated the findings; studies with a high‐to‐low order (where the high‐stakes setting was introduced first) showed a stronger faking effect—demonstrated by higher means and weaker rank‐order consistencies—than those in a low‐to‐high order. Discussion and Conclusion: These findings are consistent with expectations that, relative to low‐stakes situations, individuals tend to exaggerate, in a positive direction, their personality descriptions as job applicants. In addition, assessment order matters when understanding the magnitudes of faking effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify the potential benefits of heightened levels of affect balance in older adults with and without chronic pain on various cognitive domains, physical performance, and perceived cognitive and physical health. Method: Ninety‐one older adults, some with and some without fibromyalgia (FM) participated. Objective tests included cognitive (immediate and delayed recall, delayed recognition—CERAD 10‐item word list) and physical measures (Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale; lower body strength—30‐s chair stand; gait velocity—30‐ft. walk). Self‐report measures were problems with forgetting, activities of daily living (perceived function), and affect (Positive and Negative Affect Scale [PANAS]). Affect balance was calculated as positive minus negative affect from the PANAS. Results: Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that—regardless of FM status—higher affect balance was associated with better episodic memory performance (immediate recall, delayed recognition), better balance, enhanced lower body strength (more chair stands), and healthier gait (30‐ft. walk), as well as less forgetfulness and better perceived functional health. Conclusion: Increased affect balance was associated with better objective and subjective health in older adults both without and with chronic pain. Positive psychology treatments which increase affect balance are easy to administer, cost effective, and may add an important, additional treatment modality for maintaining health in normal aging adults as well as those with chronic pain. Clinical Relevance: In order to help patients with healthy aging, nurses need to be aware of the potential long‐term effect of emotional state on overall function and be able to counsel patients regarding potential treatments to enhance positive global emotions such as resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The debate around the formation and persistence of typological attitudes is beyond the scope of this review, but British Jungian scholar Steve Myers (no relation to the Briggs-Myers family) explains how Jung's typology and MBTI® diverge in fundamental ways (Myers 2018). A regrettable mystery novel that dramatizes the racial hysteria of that era doesn't necessarily reflect the deepest personal beliefs of its author; notably, Isabel never mentions race in her definitive book on Type, I Gifts Differing i (Briggs-Myers & Myers 1995). The film introduces Merve Emre, a professor of English at Oxford University who authored the highly critical book I The Personality Brokers i (Emre 2018), which investigates the early development of the MBTI® and its creators Katharine Cook-Briggs and daughter Isabel Briggs-Myers. The disjointed storyline flips back to Merve Emre expanding on the history of MBTI® founders Katherine and Isabel. [Extracted from the article]

As analytical psychology in China develops, especially with the China Society for Analytical Psychology approved for membership in the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP), many Chinese, who are already familiar with MBTI®-based personality testing in corporations, are interested in learning more about Jungian theory and practice with regard to psychological types. The author, a Chinese psychologist, emphasizes current problems standing in the way of this development, such as the common opinion that MBTI is equal to psychological types. He reports his recent research that highlights the present understanding of psychological types within China. Noting that Jung combined two attitudes with four functions to form eight function-attitudes of consciousness, the author explores the possible connection between Jung's eightfold system and the eight trigrams that organize the wisdom that the I Ching brings to emergent situations requiring exceptionally conscious decision-making. He compares I Ching translator Richard Wilhelm's naming and description of these eight Gua with Jungian analyst John Beebe's descriptions of the eight function-attitudes and finds striking parallels. This amplification sheds light on the archetypal nature of psychological consciousness as well upon the typology of it that Jung advanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to stressful life events and individual differences in the personality trait neuroticism are important risk factors that interact to predict major depressive disorder (MDD). Less is known about their effect on treatment response in depression. Here, we examine whether stressful life events experienced prior to and during treatment interact with neuroticism to predict response to 16‐week pharmacotherapy for MDD. Participants included 159 outpatients with MDD who were initially treated with 8 weeks of escitalopram. Those who responded to the initial treatment continued on escitalopram monotherapy, whereas non‐responders received 8 weeks of adjunctive aripiprazole. Personality was assessed using the NEO‐Five Factor Inventory, and stressful life events were assessed using the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule, a rigorous contextual interview that includes independent ratings of threatening life events. High baseline neuroticism was associated with a lower likelihood of response when patients experienced one or more negative life events before treatment. Secondary analyses indicated that this effect was specific to neuroticism, and not better accounted for by its self‐criticism or negative affect facets. Our results suggest that assessing personality and stressful life events at baseline can help clinicians assess which patients will respond to antidepressant therapy and which may need treatment augmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Psychology of Criminal Conduct and its associated components (e.g. the Risk Need Responsivity model, the Central Eight risk factors) has been hugely influential in the criminal justice sector. However, like any theory it has relative strengths and weakness, one weakness being that assumptions have been made about the causal nature and conceptual coherence of its foundational constructs, dynamic risk factors. The numerous issues with the conceptualisation of dynamic risk factors have implications for the widespread practice of using them as explanations of offending and to inform intervention planning. Recently some attention has been given to exploring the conceptualisation and definitions, scope and use of dynamic risk factors. Some key advancements in this area are considered and we illustrate how the weaknesses encountered by dynamic risk factors may impact our understanding and application of these concepts, using the example of Antisocial Personality Pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to discover whether psychological treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) was associated with changes in the big five personality traits and their facets. Method: Patients with GAD were randomized either to receive cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT, n = 28) or metacognitive therapy (MCT, n = 32). Before and after 12 sessions of treatment, 55 of the patients completed the full Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO‐PI‐R) (240 items). Results: Patients with GAD showed a personality profile with high Neuroticism and lower Extraversion and Openness. Treatment across conditions was associated with significant reduction in Neuroticism and increased Extraversion and Openness. There were no significant changes in Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. However, their facets of Actions and Trust increased. Post‐treatment levels of neuroticism were associated with symptoms of worry before and after therapy, whereas post‐treatment extraversion was related to depressive symptoms after treatment. MCT was associated with greater reduction of Neuroticism than CBT. Conclusions: This is the first study to show that efficient treatment for a specific disorder resulted in changes across NEO‐PI‐R factors and facets and that more efficient treatment results in greater change. If this reflects a reduced trait vulnerability for mental disorder, this might provide evidence of relapse prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing need to provide leadership development opportunities for graduate and professional students, this article discusses how to integrate leadership assessment and inventories within graduate and professional education. The DiSC personality test, insights discovery assessment, Myers–Briggs type indicator, and CliftonStrengths will be reviewed and described as tools to foster leadership identity development. Additionally, this article will discuss the need to connect these tools with existing theoretical frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interpretation of genetic testing results is subject to error. This observational study illustrates examples of pitfalls and challenges in interpretation of genetic testing results as reported by genetics professionals. We surveyed genetics professionals to describe interpretation challenges, the types of variants that were involved, and the reported clinical impact of misconception of a test result. Case studies were then collected from a select group to further explore potential causes of misunderstanding. A total of 83% of survey respondents were aware of at least one instance of genetic test misinterpretation. Both professionals with and without formal training in genetics were challenged by test reports, and variants of unknown significance were most frequently involved. Case submissions revealed that interpretation pitfalls extend beyond variant classification analyses. Inferred challenges in case submissions include lack of genetic counseling, unclear wording of reports, and suboptimal communication among providers. Respondents and case submitters noted that incorrect interpretation can trigger unnecessary follow‐up tests and improperly alter clinical management. Further research is needed to validate and quantify large‐scale data regarding challenges of genetic results interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality and psychopathology features may play an important role as predisposing factors for fibromyalgia (FM). However, psychological heterogeneity of FM patients has been suggested. Based on two personality psychopathology clusters, we intend to explore psychological heterogeneity in FM patients, specifically, to identify if personality features had other psychological and psychopathological correlates. Secondarily, we also want to identify if personality features have association with health‐related correlates. The participants were female FM patients (n = 56) between 30 and 60 years old. The instruments were: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI‐2) content and supplementary scales, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS‐11). Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) identified that Cluster 2 (n = 24), characterized by a combination of negative affectivity and social inhibition, presented a more disturbed profile, with several features of symptomatic behavior, general maladjustment, and important clinical problem areas. The associations of personality variables with FM impact and self‐reported pain are null, with the exception of Disconstraint scale. In conclusion, FM patients may be very different at the psychological level, concerning personality and psychopathological features that may compromise their treatment. Personality and health‐related dimensions do not seem to be associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Race is a barrier and source of inequality affecting ethnic minorities in nursing practice and education. Purpose: This integrative review study aimed to determine whether racism and institutionalized racism are explicitly named in the titles and abstracts of peer‐reviewed publications on nursing education, leadership, and the nursing profession, and to explore the depth of discussion of racialized concepts in peer‐reviewed nursing literature. Method: Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review approach was used to review 23 studies published in nursing journals published from 2008 to 2020. Findings: Four themes were extracted: the context of racism discussions in the literature; consequences of experiences of racism; emotional and physical effects of racism on nurses and students of color; and scholars' recommendations. Discussion: Nursing must start to openly acknowledge the issue of racism within the profession, and to address it by providing safe spaces for authentic dialogue in academic and practice settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Educational track choices have far-reaching consequences because they are associated with long-term life success. Theoretical approaches and previous empirical research have nearly exclusively identified family background and achievement as determinants of these choices. Although students' educational track choices might fit their personality, individual differences in personality have not been explored. We investigated the effects of two personality aspects-RIASEC interests and Big Five traits-on hierarchically ranked track choices (vocational vs. general educational track), alongside family background and achievement.Method: We used two German data sets (TOSCA 10 study: N = 473; TOSCA study: N = 4,218) focusing on choices between the general educational track (leading to higher educational attainment) and the vocational track (leading to work life) at two different stages in educational careers. We ran several multiple (logistic) regressions.Results: The results showed that certain aspects of students' personality matter for educational track choices. Accordingly, across both studies, students with high Investigative or Enterprising interests more often chose the general educational track, whereas students with high Social or Conventional interests more often chose the vocational track-after the Big Five personality traits, achievement, and family background were controlled for. The Big Five traits showed no or only small significant associations with educational track choices.Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of considering individual differences when investigating important life outcomes such as track choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine how gaps between students' chosen target grades and actual midcourse grades relate to their exam studying intentions and subsequent grade improvements. We further investigate whether those relationships are moderated by students' academic ability (as measured by high school averages) and implicit theory of intelligence or mindset (as measured by questionnaire scores). Our study involved 250 undergraduate students in a first‐year business course. The study used linear regression to analyze survey responses at the course's beginning, survey responses near the course's end, and actual course grades. The analysis showed students had greater studying intentions and grade improvements when midcourse grades were farther below initial target grades. Mindset moderated the relationship between grade gaps and studying intentions, whereas academic ability moderated the relationship between grade gaps and grade improvements. These results enhance our knowledge of how students respond to grade feedback and could help instructors assist students to make better decisions about their studying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a study of the relationship between demographic, personality, and attitudinal variables and impulsive buying (a consumer's tendency to buy spontaneously, unreflectively, and immediately); using secondary analysis of data from common participants in two large national surveys of British adults: one survey contributing data on impulsive buying, demographics, and money attitudes; and the second, a Big Five personality trait measure. In particular, we focus on the attitudes characterized by the extent to which individuals associate money with security, freedom, power, and love. Younger females and those with higher household income were more likely to engage in impulsive buying. Correlational and regression analysis showed that those high on Neuroticism and Extraversion and those low on Conscientiousness were more likely to be impulse buyers. All four money attitudes were related to impulsive buying (Money as Security most strongly). A hierarchical regression indicated that demographic variables accounted for 3 percent, personality a further 9 percent, and money attitudes a further 13 percent of the variance, showing that these three sets of variables accounted for around a quarter of the variance. Implications are considered for educational and therapeutic interventions in reducing maladaptive impulsive buying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate clinical and workplace outcomes from an evidence‐based virtual behavioral therapy program for individuals with pain and behavioral health issues. Methods: This was a retrospective de‐identified data analysis among a cohort of 1,086 participants enrolled in a standardized, evidence‐based telebehavioral therapy program between September 1, 2016, and August 31, 2017 (mean age 53 ± 11.5 years; 29% male). The program was delivered over approximately 8 weeks by licensed therapists and behavior coaches by telephone or video, and tailored to the pain management and behavioral health goals of each participant. Structured measurements were documented in the electronic clinical record, including demographics, comorbidities, pain severity (Pain Intensity, Enjoyment of Life, General Activity tool), behavioral health symptoms (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale short form), and productivity (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment survey). Results: At baseline, participants had high average pain severity (5.8/10 points), high frequencies of behavioral health symptoms (68%), and activity impairment (90%); absenteeism (34%) and presenteeism (75%) were observed among employed individuals. Pain severity and pain interference improved by 17% and 27%, respectively, over 8 weeks (P < 0.0001). Reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were significant and associated with reductions in pain interference (P < 0.0001). Absenteeism, presenteeism, and activity impairment ratings each improved by more than 25% (P < 0.0001). Discussion: Participants in a virtually delivered behavioral therapy program for pain experienced significant improvements in pain intensity, pain interference, behavioral health symptoms, and work productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]