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Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSIC Background: Certain personality traits increase vulnerability to depression, but the evidence linking personality and postpartum depression (PPD) is less robust. This systematic review aimed to identify personality traits that increase the risk of PPD. Methods: We systematically reviewed studies retrieved from PubMed/Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane, following the PRISMA guidelines for reporting. We carried out a meta-analysis on the association between neuroticism and PPD. Results: A total of 34 studies were analyzed. Of these, 31 considered at least one trait associated with PPD; 10 studies considered at least one trait not associated with PPD. The meta-analysis included 13 studies, concluding that neuroticism was associated with PPD (OR: 1.37; 95%CI: 1.22-1.53; p

Suicidability has been associated with neuroticism and psychoticism, but its role during perinatal period has not been analyzed. We explore the association between personality dimensions, depressive symptoms, and other psychosocial variables in postpartum suicidal ideation. A cohort of 1795 healthy Spanish women from the general population was assessed for suicidal ideation (EPDS-Item10) in early postpartum, 8 and 32 weeks postpartum. Sociodemographic, obstetric, and reproductive variables, psychiatric history, social support, stressful life-events during pregnancy, depressive symptoms (EPDS), and the Eysenck's personality dimensions (EPQ-RS) were also assessed at baseline. A major depressive episode (DSM-IV) was confirmed in women with EPDS>10 at follow-up assessments. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted. Adjusted logistic regression analysis was reported as odds ratio (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Seven percent of mothers reported suicidal ideation during the first 8 months postpartum. Sixty-two percent of women with suicidal ideation had a major depressive episode at 8 weeks, and 70% at 32 weeks postpartum. Neuroticism and psychoticism predicted suicidal ideation throughout the first 2 weeks after delivery (OR, 1.03; 95%CI 1.01-1.06; and OR, 1.03; 95%CI 1.01-1.05 respectively). Early postpartum depressive symptoms (OR 1.2; 95%CI 1.11-1.26), personal psychiatric history (OR 2.1; 95%CI 1.33-3.27), and stressful life events during pregnancy (OR 1.88; 95%CI 1.12-3.16) also emerged as predictors of postpartum suicidal ideation. Analysis of women for postpartum suicidal ideation should include not only psychiatric symptoms but also psychosocial assessment (i.e., covering psychiatric history, stressful events, or long-standing personality vulnerabilities) in order to identify those in need of early psychosocial or psychiatric care.

Background Survival methodology has not already been used in studies about postpartum depression (PPD) course. The aims of the present study were to estimate the duration of a Major Postpartum Depressive Episode (MPDE) during 2 years, as well as to explore factors associated with the course. Method This was a prospective, naturalistic, longitudinal study with a cohort of 165 women with a MPDE (DSM-IV criteria). Potential predictors of prognosis were recorded at baseline. Follow-up was conducted using the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE). Results Of the total sample, 110 (66.7%) completed the 2 years follow-up. The mean time to full remission was 49.4 weeks (95% CI: 44.0–59.8). The probability of recovering was 30.2% (95% CI: 22.1%–37.4%) at 6 months of follow-up, 66.3% (95% CI: 57.4%–73.4%) at 12 months of follow-up, and 90.3% (95% CI: 79.8%–95.4%) at 24 months of follow-up. Mothers with financial difficulties, onset of depressive episode previous to birth, and those with prior treated depressive episodes took longer in achieving full remission. Limitations Results are only generalizable to mothers with PPD treated in a psychiatric outpatient setting. Psychopharmacological treatment was uncontrolled and personality was not assessed. Conclusions Our findings suggest that PPD could become a chronic disorder, particularly in mothers with an onset of the episode previous to birth, with a history of depression or with financial problems. Knowledge of these factors may help to improve the guidelines of depression management and treatment during the perinatal period.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and personality disorder symptoms controlling for depressive state. Victims of IPV (n = 176) and non-abused women (n = 193) completed the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology-Basic Questionnaire (DAPP-BQ), Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). IPV victims scored higher than non-abused women on Intimacy Problems, and scored lower on Rejection traits, after adjustment for depressive symptoms. Severity of the IPV was related to Cognitive Distortion, Suspiciousness, Restricted Expression, and Intimacy Problems, and the length of the IPV was negatively associated with Rejection. The current study suggests only modest differences in personality traits between IPV and non-abused women. The DAPP-BQ traits associated with severity of IPV, in a dose-response manner, would partially reflect the symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), although this possibility deserves further study.

The Vulnerable Personality Style Questionnaire (VPSQ) is a nine-item self-report scale developed to asses personality traits which increase the risk of postpartum depression. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the VPSQ in a sample of postpartum women. A cohort of 309 postpartum women was followed up for 32 weeks after delivery. All women were assessed with the Spanish version of the VPSQ, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-R Short Scale, the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and the harm avoidance dimension of the Temperament and Character Inventory at 2-3 days postpartum. Depressive symptoms were evaluated at 8 and 32 weeks after delivery by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and a diagnostic interview was used to confirm the presence of major depression disorder. Factor analysis results revealed the unidimensionality of the Spanish version of the VPSQ. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the VPSQ total score was 0.63. The test-retest reliability indicated a good temporal stability (ICC = 0.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.82-0.91). A moderate association between the VPSQ and other personality measures provided evidence for its construct validity. Logistic regression analyses showed that women with higher scores on the VPSQ had a higher risk of developing depressive symptoms (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.11-1.29) and major depression (OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.07-1.26) throughout the 32 weeks after delivery. Overall, our results suggest adequate psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the VPSQ and its usefulness in identifying women with a personality style that increases the risk of developing postpartum depression.

The aims of the study were to assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA), and to validate it against external criteria of intimate partner violence. The Spanish version of the ISA was administered to 223 non-abused women and 182 victims of intimate partner violence. Internal consistency coefficients oscillated between 0.88 and 0.98. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis failed to replicate the original two-factor structure. Using Exploratory Factor Analysis, a two-factor solution was found: physical (ISA-P) and non-physical (ISA-NP), but the items included in each factor were slightly different from the original two subscales. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed an AUC value for the ISA global score of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98–0.99), with the optimal cut-off of 12 for detecting intimate partner violence. The Spanish version of the ISA is a valid instrument for detecting intimate partner violence in a female population.

The aim of this study is to determine the dimensional personality profile in borderline personality disorder (BPD), and to assess the multidimensional nature of impulsiveness using self-reported and laboratorial measures. We compared the differences in 39 female subjects diagnosed with BPD and 102 healthy controls using a battery of self-report instruments and a laboratorial measure of impulsivity. BPD patients obtained higher scores in impulsivity and aggressiveness self-report measures and higher impulsive-related temperament dimensions, compared with the control group. BPD patients did not differ from controls in laboratorial-behavioral impulsivity and there was no association between self-report impulsivity and the performance in the laboratorial task. According to our findings, BPD patients are characterized by high levels of trait impulsivity in several domains. Our results do not support the hypothesis of a possible deficit in the inhibitory control in BPD patients, suggested by an impulsive response pattern in the neurocognitive assessment. Future studies should study the relationship between personality traits and rapid-response impulsivity using different laboratorial-behavioral measures in BPD patients.

Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct and has been previously associated with suicidal behaviour in borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study examined the associations between suicidal behaviour and impulsivity-related personality traits, as well as history of childhood sexual abuse, in 76 patients diagnosed with BPD using both the Structured Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III (DSM-III) Axis-II diagnoses and the self-personality questionnaire. Impulsivity-related traits were measured using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) and the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). We found that hostility and childhood sexual abuse, but not impulsivity or other temperament traits, significantly predicted the presence, number and severity of previous suicide attempts. Hostility traits and childhood sexual abuse showed an impact on suicide attempts in BPD. Our results support previous findings indicating that high levels of hostility and having suffered sexual abuse during childhood lead to an increased risk for suicidal behaviour in BPD. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objective: To identify the factors associated with discontinuation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in pregnant women and to determine the rates of SSRI reintroduction during pregnancy. Method: A prospective study was conducted in the Perinatal Psychiatry Service of the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona. The total sample comprised 132 consecutive pregnant women with depressive or anxiety disorder (DSM-IV criteria), seen between January 2005 and December 2008 and who were receiving SSRIs at the time of conception. Clinical, psychometric and socio-demographic variables were collected at the first visit. All women were assessed during treatment with the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Dose and type of antidepressant were recorded at each visit during pregnancy. Results: Seventy women (53%) discontinued SSRI treatment upon confirmation of pregnancy. Socio- demographic, obstetric and psychiatric variables did not differ significantly between women who maintained and women who discontinued treatment. Only unplanned pregnancy was associated with a greater risk of discontinuation (OR=2.7, 95%CI = 1.34-5.52). Women who discontinued treatment also had higher EPDS and STAI scores in the first visit and prenatal visit (34-36 weeks) (p < .05). Of the 70 women who discontinued treatment, 57.1%(N=40) reintroduced treatment, almost half of these in the first trimester of pregnancy. Conclusions: Unplanned pregnancy was a risk factor for abrupt discontinuation of SSRIs upon confirmation of pregnancy in women with depressive or anxiety disorder. More than half the pregnant women who discontinued SSRIs reintroduced antidepressant therapy during pregnancy. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes. Method A case–control study was conducted to compare perinatal outcomes among pregnant women with affective disorder (DSM-IV criteria) and who received SSRIs during pregnancy with those of women without an active psychiatric disorder during pregnancy who were non-exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. Each case was matched to two controls for maternal age (± 2 years) and parity. Results A total of 252 women were enrolled in the study, 84 exposed and 168 non-exposed. Demographic and clinical characteristics did not differ significantly between the groups. The rates of prelabor rupture of membranes, induction of labor and cesarean delivery were slightly higher but not statistically significant in the exposed group. The mean gestational age at birth was 38.8 (± 1.86) weeks for the exposed group and 39.4 (± 1.52) weeks for the non-exposed group (p = .005). Rates for preterm birth were higher in the exposed group (OR = 3.44, 95% CI = 1.30–9.11). After stratification for dose, it was found that exposure to a high-dose was associated with lower gestational age (p = .009) and higher rates of prematurity (OR = 5.07, 95% CI = 1.34–19.23). The differences remained significant after controlling for maternal status and the length of exposure. Conclusion Women treated with SSRIs during pregnancy, mainly at high-dose, had an increased risk of preterm birth compared to healthy women of similar age and parity who were not exposed to SSRI during pregnancy.

Although perfectionism from a multidimensional perspective has generally been associated with depressive illness, there are not many studies on its role in major depression in the postnatal period. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between perfectionism dimensions using the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) and major postpartum depression.One-hundred-twenty-two women with major postpartum depression (SCID-I; DSM-IV) and 115 healthy postpartum women were evaluated using the FMPS, an instrument for the assessment of six perfectionism dimensions: concern over mistakes, personal standards, parental expectations, parental criticism, doubt about actions and organisation. Other variables were also considered: neuroticism, psychiatric history, social support, life events and genotype combinations according to serotonin transporter expression (5-HTTLPR and Stin2 VNTR polymorphisms).The prevalence of high-perfectionism was higher in major postpartum depression group than in control group (34% vs. 11%; p0.001). Multivariate models confirmed high-perfectionism as an independent factor associated with major postpartum depression. Specifically, the high-concern over mistakes dimension increased over four-fold the odds of major depression in postpartum period. (OR=4.14; 95% CI=1.24-13.81) Neuroticism, personal psychiatric history and 5-HTT low-expressing genotypes at one of the loci were also identified as independent factors.High-perfectionism, and particularly high-concern over mistakes is a personality dimension associated with major postpartum depression. The inclusion of perfectionism assessment, together with others factors, may be considered in order to improve the detection of women at risk of postpartum depression, in whom early intervention may be of benefit.

We still lack operative and theoretically founded definitions of what a personality disorder (PD) is, as well as empirically validated and feasible instruments to measure the disorder construct. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) is the only personality instrument that explicitly distinguishes personality style and disordered functioning. Here, we seek to (1) confirm in a clinical sample that the character dimensions of the TCI capture a general construct of PD across all specific PD subtypes, (2) determine whether such core features can be used to detect the presence of PD, and (3) analyze whether such detection is affected by the presence and severity of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) Axis I symptoms. Two hundred five anxious/depressed outpatients were evaluated with the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I and II Disorders. Assessment also included the TCI, the Hamilton rating scales for depression and anxiety, and the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale. Sixty-one patients (29.8%) were diagnosed as having a DSM-IV PD. Self-directedness and Cooperativeness, but no other TCI dimensions, predicted the presence of PD (Nagelkerke R(2) = 0.35-0.45) and had a moderate diagnostic utility (kappa = 0.47-0.58) when Axis I symptoms were absent or mild. However, accuracy decreased in anxious or depressed patients. Our study supports the hypothesis of a disorder construct that is not related to the intensity of any specific PD subtype but which is common to all PDs. This construct relies largely on internal representations of the self revealing ineffectiveness and uncooperativeness.

Patients with Huntington Disease (HD) show poor self-awareness of a variety of symptoms. Previous research in HD has primarily examined awareness of motor symptoms, whereas less attention has been given to unawareness of cognitive function and behavioural disorders. This study aim to assess self-awareness of executive deficits in HD and to explore the association between impaired awareness, cognition (executive function and memory) and evolution of the disease. Self-awareness was tested in 17 patients with HD (8 male, age=50.5 ± 9.8 years) at early stage of the disease (mean TFC 11.7) by comparing patient and family ratings using the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) with five-factor factorial structure (Inhibition, Intentionality, executive memory, negative and positive affect). Executive and memory functions were assessed by different standardised neuropsychological tests included in cognitive protocol Registry 3. Finally, we extracted the volume of the different striatal substructures (left and right caudate, putamen and nucleus accumbens) as a neuroanatomical signature of disease progression in HD. Statistical analysis revealed a significant discrepancy between the DEX-Family and DEX-Patient specifically in the second factor of DEX (intentionality). This factor contains items about disinhibition, aggression, euphoria, lack of insight and social conscience. We also found that poor insight in this area measured by DEX is significantly and specifically related with the atrophy of the left caudate. None of the cognitive tests that were administrated showed significant correlation with unawareness. Our results are consistent with previous literature, indicating that patients with HD generally overestimate their abilities. This study shows that the awareness of dysexecutive function in HD is not a general and uniform process, but is specific to certain symptoms (predominantly behaviours related with intentionality and disinhibition) and suggests the involvement of specific neuroanatomical substrates for unawareness in HD.

Few studies have evaluated personality traits as a risk factor of postpartum depression (PPD). The Vulnerable Personality Style Questionnaire (VPSQ; Boyce et al. 2001), is a 9-item self-report scale developed to evaluate personality vulnerability to PPD with satisfactory psychometric properties. It assesses 9 personality dimensions: Coping, Nervy, Timidity, Sensitivity, Worrier, Obsessive, Volatility Organized and Expressive.Objective:To study the vulnerable personality style in a Spanish postpartum sample.Method:A case-control study: 145 PPD women visited at the Psychiatry Perinatal Unit were compared to 203 healthy women from a postpartum population based study. All women were assessed with the VPSQ (Spanish adaptation), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Structured Clinical Interview (DSM-IV) axis I. Personality traits were evaluated after full clinical remission. The study was approved by the Institution board.Results:Univariated analysis showed that women with PPD obtained higher scores (p

Background:The aim of this study was to examine the temperament and character profile as risk factors of interferon and ribavirin (IFN+RBV) induced psychopathology in chronic hepatitis C patients. According to the Cloninger's biosocial model (TCI), the temperament dimension harm avoidance (HA) is suggested to indicate central serotonergic turnover, which is further correlated with depressive/anxiety states.Methods:198 patients with chronic hepatitis C in treatment with IFN+RBV were evaluated at baseline and 4, 12 and 24 weeks of treatment. All subjects were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), the Hospital Scale of Anxiety and Depression (HADS) and the Temperament and Character Inventory-revised (TCI-R) questionnaire (at basal level).Results:At baseline, 32 patients had a psychiatric syndrome (16.1%). During the first six months of IFN+RBV treatment the incidence of depression/anxiety syndromes was 37.9% (n=63/166). The personality factors associated (p

Introduction Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms. The diagnosis frequently is associated to other comorbid axis-I psychiatric disorders, especially depressive disorders. Moreover panic disorder can also be comorbid with axis-II diagnosis of Personality Disorder 1 (PDs). Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the existing comorbidity between current DSM-IV axis I panic disorder with and without co-occurring depression and current DSM-IV axis II PDs. Methods We review all database from 1987 until January 2012 of all relevant cross-sectional and case-control studies which evaluate the comorbidity between panic disorders and PDs. Results We found 97 possible papers, 20 entered in the review. Among patients with a current DSM-IV panic disorder 44.3% [34.6, 54.2] had any PDs; 6.3% [3.1, 10.4] had any cluster A-PDs; 17.9% [12.2, 24.2] any cluster B-PDs, and 34.9% [25.6, 44.7] had any cluster C-PDs. Among patients with a current DSM-IV panic disorder and co-occurring depression 61.8% [44.6, 77.7] had any personality disorder 7.2% [4.4, 10.5] had any cluster A-PDs; 24.0% [17.6, 30.9] any cluster B-PDs, and 38.6% [25.7, 52.2] had any cluster C-PDs. Conclusions The comorbidity between Panic disorder and Personality disorders is common. Cluster C-PDs was the most frequent PDs subtype related to panic disorder. Personality disorders were more prevalent among individuals with panic disorder and co-occurring depression. Further evaluations including dimensional and characterial dimensions are needed.Goodwin RD, Brook JS, Cohen P. Panic attacks and the risk of personality disorder. Psychol Med. 2005;35:227-35.

Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the effect of exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in utero on child IQ and psychopathological syndromes. Methods A two cohorts study was designed. A cohort of 40 mother-child pairs with depressive or anxiety disorders (DSM-IV criteria) attended at a Perinatal Psychiatry Program between 2004 and 2006 and exposed in utero to SSRI was compared with a healthy cohort of 40 mother-child pairs, paired by gender and gestational age. The two groups were compared in terms of children's IQ between ages 60 and 72 months, assessed blindly through Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). The Early Childhood Inventory teachers’ and parents’ versions (ECI-4) were used to assess psychopathological syndromes. Statistical analysis were done with paired t-test, Chi square test, and Fisher's exact test. Results There were no differences among the groups in maternal IQ, socioeconomic status and obstetric variables. There were no differences among the groups (exposed vs. non-exposed) in the Mental Processing Composite (101.20 vs. 106.95; p = 0.07), the Sequential Processing Scale (97.78 vs. 103.00; p = 0.11), the Simultaneous Processing Scale (103.90 vs. 109.23; p = 0.13) and the Achievement Scale (98.80 vs. 103.13; p = 0.13). The ECI-4 psychopathological syndromes rates of exposed children were slightly higher than non-exposed children, but these differences were only significant on Adjustment Disorder in parents’ reports (30% vs. 10%; p = 0.04). Conclusions Exposure to SSRI during pregnancy does not appear to adversely affect cognitive functioning. Exposed children showed slightly higher rates of psychopathology, especially Adjustment Disorder.

Background Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common anxiety disorder with a life-time prevalence around 7–10%. Perfectionism is a personality construct defined as the setting of high standards paired with overly critical self-evaluation in pursuit of those standards. Although perfectionism has generally been associated with several forms of psychopathology, research in social anxiety has received less attention. Objective To explore the relationship between perfectionism and SAD. Method A cross-sectional survey of 571 university students was designed. We analysed the association between perfectionism components ( concern over mistakes, personal standards, parental expectations, parental criticism, doubt about actions and organisation ) and SAD with the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). SAD diagnostic was confirmed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-Axis-I. Results Twelve percent of the sample had SAD, with no gender differences. For both sex, the prevalence of high-perfectionism (FMPS total) was higher in SAD than in control group (p high-concern over mistakes and high-doubt about actions was associated to SAD in both gender whereas high-parental criticism was associated to SAD only in women. After controlling for age and personal psychiatric history, only high-concern over mistakes was associated with an increased risk of SAD (OR=3.41;95%CI=1.56–7.46) in women. Conclusions This study supports the association between SAD and perfectionism specifically with the high-concern over mistakes component in women.

IntroductionAlthough perfectionism has generally been associated with depressive illness in general, there are no studies on its role in major depression in the postnatal period. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between perfectionism and major postpartum depression.MethodsIn this case-control study, we compared the differences in perfectionism dimensions between 122 women with major postpartum depression (SCID-I; DSM-IV) and 115 healthy postpartum women. The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) was used to assess perfectionism. Other variables were also considered: Socio-demographic and obstetric data, psychiatric history, other personality traits, social support, life events and genotype combinations according to serotonin transporter expression (5-HTTLPR and Stin2 VNTR polymorphisms).ResultsMultivariate models confirmed perfectionism as an independent factor associated with major postpartum depression. The FMPS dimension concern over mistakes was associated with a 4-fold increase in risk for major postpartum depression (OR = 4.14; 95%CI: 1.24–13.81). Neuroticism, personal psychiatric history and 5-HTT low-expressing genotypes at one of the loci were also identified as independent factors.ConclusionsPerfectionism, and particularly the concern over mistakes perfectionism dimension, is associated with major postpartum depression. These results highlight the importance of assessing personality traits together with other risk factors to identify women at risk of depression after childbirth.

BackgroundAlthough there is considerable evidence on the impact of negative life events during childhood on the etiology of psychiatric disorders, little is known about the specific influence on the social anxiety disorder. The objective of the study was to examine this association.MethodIn a cross-sectional survey in 571 university students we analysed the association between loss of someone close, emotional abuse, physical abuse, family violence and sexual abuse with social anxiety assessed by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale.ResultsTwenty percent of the sample had social anxiety and 50,6% had an early negative life events in childhood. After controlling for family psychiatric history and gender only family violence was associated with an increased risk of social anxiety (OR = 4.63; 95%CI = 1.13–18.9).ConclusionsThis study found childhood family violence associated with social phobia in university students.

ObjectiveTo study whether there are personality characteristics that discriminate between IPV women and non-abused control women, taking into account the effect of emotional state (depressive symptoms).MethodA total of 176 women victim of IPV and 193 non-abused control women were assessed with the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology (DAPP-BQ; Livesley, 1990), the Beck Depression Inventory -II (BDI-II; Beck, 1996), and the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA; Hudson & McIntosh, 1981). Women victim of IPV were recruited from Domestic Violence Centers, and non-abused control women were recruited from Primary Care Centers and Mental Health Services. A two way analysis of variance (IPV * Depression) were used for detecting differences in personality traits taking into account the effect of depression (BDI ≥ 17).ResultsAfter controlling for depression, IPV victims scored higher than control women in submissiveness (F=6.41; p=0.01), cognitive distortion (F=4.35; p=0.04), intimacy problems (F=27.02; p< 0.001), suspiciousness (F=5.02; p=0.03) and self-harm (F=4.93; p=0.03), and lower in rejection (F=14.66; p< 0.001).ConclusionsIPV victims showed high submission, low hostility, intimacy problems, suspiciousness, tendency to depersonalization or derealization, and suicidal ideation and attempts, as a result of chronic abuse. Some of these aspects could be explained by the presence of PTSD, more than by pre-existing personality characteristics. Traumatic and chronic stress can alter functional aspects of the brain and lead to the development of dysfunctional cognitive and behavioral characteristics that may be considered in the psychotherapeutic approach.

The prevalence of social anxiety is estimated of 7-12% of the general population and 18% of university student. Social anxiety has a high prevalence of psychiatry and personality comorbidity. At age of 18-25 years old 80% of social anxiety cases have onset. To detect social anxiety at that age maybe important to avoid chronicity of the illness.Aims:To study personality traits associated with social anxiety in university students.Methods:We designed a cross-sectional study at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Student were recruited by an advertisement. All student signed the informed consent. We collected: Socio-demographic data, personal and family psychiatry history, and the Liebowitz Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and the Temperament and Character Inventory of Cloninger. We defined as a social anxiety group a LSAS ≥50 total score.Results:Five hundred ninety-one students enter in the study. Final sample after excluded those who did not filled the rating scales was 574 participants: 75% were women, mean age (SD): 22.7 (5.3), 156 (124 women/32 men), 26% had social anxiety. Eighteen percent had family and 22% personal psychiatry history. The personality profile of the social anxiety group was: high harm avoidance (HA) (p< .001), low novelty seeking (NS) (p< .001), and low self-directedness (SD) (p< .001).By logistic regression, after corrected by sex, age, personal and family psychiatry history, HA (OR=1.118; 95%CI=1.081-1.155), NS (OR=0.954;95%CI=0.927-0.982) and SD (OR=0.957;95%CI=0.930-0.985) predicted social anxiety. R2Nagelkerke=0.442. Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p>.05).Conclusions:A profile of high HA, low NS and SD personality dimensions may predict those university students with social anxiety.

Background and aims:Despite the intense study on impulsivity in BPD, little attention has been given to the relationship between gender, impulsivity and BPD. Previous findings are inconsistent and there is a lack of specific research.The purpose of this study is to examine the differences between man and women with BDP in different impulsivity measures.Method:We examined the gender differences in 45 subjects recruited in a psychiatric unit, in which 33 (73,3%) were women and 12 (26,7%) were men. Mean age of the study sample was 28.9 years old (SD= 1.04). No differences were found in socio-demographic variables between men and women. In order to establish a BDP diagnose the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorder (SCID-II) was used. Impulsivity was assessed with the Barrat Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11) and the Continuous Performance Test identical pairs version (CPT-IP).Results:We found significant gender differences in BIS scores. Men have scored higher than women in all BIS scores, especially in the second-order factor of nonplanning impulsiveness.In CPT-IP results there were also significant differences between men and women performance. Men made a higher number of correct answers (hits) and a higher number of false alarms (commission errors) than women. Also, men had a significant higher score in the d index (attentional capacity) than women.Conclusion:Gender differences influence the performance in laboratorial and psychometric measures of impulsivity in BPD subjects. This pattern of impulsivity is consistent with the attentional performance in these subjects.