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The traits of the dark triad (narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism) capture the individual differences in the aversive personality. The dark triad has shown significant relations with behaviors that affect people's lives. One of the best-known instruments to assess the dark triad is the Dirty Dozen. However, controversy continues over the use of one general dark triad score or, conversely, three different scores. This study aimed to investigate the factor structure of the Dirty Dozen across eight global regions. There were 11,477 participants in 49 countries grouped into eight regions. Different factor structures were studied using confirmatory factor analyses. Both the three-dimensional models and the bifactor models (symmetrical or traditional and non-symmetrical or bifactor-[S – 1]) showed a good fit to the data. The bifactor-(S – 1) models (with psychopathy or Machiavellianism as the reference factors) show adequate fit to the data, supported by the coherence of the factorial loadings and the bifactor indices. Regarding measurement invariance for both models, configural, metric, and scalar invariance were satisfied. The results indicate that it is not clear whether a psychopathy or Machiavellianism reference factor predominates in the Dirty Dozen. For both models, templates are provided to obtain standardized scores for applied researchers in the eight studied world regions until future studies offer a greater amount of validity evidence for this instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality pathology is associated with emotional problems that are potentially attributable to problematic emotion regulation strategy patterns. We evaluated the emotion regulation strategies associated with the pathological personality traits in the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD). A total of 504 participants completed measures of AMPD traits and strategy usage, which were analyzed using hierarchical regressions and latent profile analysis (LPA). Regression results demonstrated that each trait was associated with a unique strategy pattern: negative affect with emotional overengagement, detachment with socialemotional avoidance, antagonism with emotional externalization/avoidance, disinhibition with emotional avoidance and overengagement, and psychoticism with strategies linked to psychotic/dissociative experiences. The LPA identified three profiles with heightened AMPD traits: an internalizing/distressed profile, an externalizing/distressed profile, and a schizoid-schizotypal profile; each had a unique strategy pattern that varied depending on trait composition. This research highlights the relevance of emotion regulation strategy patterns in the assessment, conceptualization, and treatment of personality pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner cyberstalking refers to the monitoring and controlling of an intimate partner through technologies. Unlike the cyberstalking of strangers, less is known about the motives and perpetration of intimate partner cyberstalking. In this study, we explore how vulnerable narcissism, secondary psychopathy, and borderline traits (i.e., the "Vulnerable Dark Triad") and rejection sensitivity relate to the perpetration of intimate partner cyberstalking. Participants (N = 278; 58 percent women) were recruited through social media and completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Positive correlations were observed between vulnerable narcissism, secondary psychopathy, borderline traits, rejection sensitivity, and intimate partner cyberstalking. Borderline traits moderated the relationship between participant sex (men and women) and intimate partner cyberstalking, and women with high borderline traits were most likely to cyberstalk intimate partners. Lastly, there was a significant indirect effect of vulnerable narcissism on intimate partner cyberstalking through rejection sensitivity. These findings highlight the importance of relational insecurity and rejection sensitivity in intimate partner cyberstalking and provide useful directions for future research exploring cyberstalking behaviors in intimate relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the internal consistency and factor structure of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 –Brief Form (PID-5-BF), and its relationship to aggression in 438 incarcerated Australian male offenders. Results provide support for the internal consistency and five-factor and bifactor structure of the PID-5-BF. The PID-5-BF total score, as well as the domains of Antagonism, Disinhibition, and Negative Affect (low), demonstrated significant relationships with aggression. These results provide preliminary support for the psychometric properties of the PID-5-BF within prison settings, and suggest that a PID-5-BF assessment may be useful within forensic settings to screen for broad maladaptive personality characteristics that are indicative of a greater propensity for aggressive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gift of life doctrine underpins Australia's approach to organ donation: in legislation, clinical practice, community awareness campaigns, and educational activities. In this paper, we present an approach that situates an understanding of organ donation within a social representation framework as a system of values, ideas, and practices. In cadaveric donation, the final giving‐of‐the‐gift can never be by the donor, leading us to ask where the potential donor's decision to give the gift really lies. We present research from three studies that explored the relationship between what was socially understood about organ donation and the registration of donation intent. Drawing from three socially and culturally diverse populations, we asked people working in a corporate city institution and those attending two football matches in the outer city area to complete a word‐association task and Likert‐scale belief questions about organ donation—followed by an opportunity to register immediately on the Australian Organ Donor Register. Driven by the interdependent themata of life/death and self/other, the gift of life doctrine is inextricably linked with the loss of life emerging as both positive and negative beliefs allowing their relationship to actual registration behaviour to be observed. Our findings suggest that in many instances, the potential donor's genuine desire to give the gift lies in the tension between positive and negative beliefs, manifesting as a consent registration when the positive beliefs about donation prevail and an immediate opportunity to register is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: As allied health professions change over time to keep up with and reflect a rapidly changing society, it is quite possible that the people attracted to the profession may also change. If this is the case, then knowing this could be critical for future workforce marketing, training and planning. Aims: The aim was to investigate whether the personality of students entering a speech‐language pathology (SLP) program had changed over time and whether there were generational differences in personality. Methods & Procedures: The study used the Big Five personality inventory to consider whether there were differences in the personality in speech–language pathology (SLP) students enrolled in the same regional university in Australia in 2005 and 2016. Outcomes & Results: The results showed there were significant differences between the two groups on the Agreeableness and Extroversion scales. The students who were more Conscientious were also more Confident in their ability to perform as an SLP. Generational differences across the two cohorts were also considered. Conclusions & Implications: SLP is a dynamic profession that is reflected through an evolving scope of practice, increasing utilization of technology and specialization. As careers evolve it is logical that the people attracted to those careers may also shift; as demonstrated here via changes in the personality of SLP students. Understanding the personality of current SLP students and future Generation Z students may assist universities to identify specific skills and experiences students need to be successful in the workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Sufficient and good-quality sleep is important for individual functioning. This study explored associations between personality and sleep duration and sleep quality in adulthood. The mediating role of hedonic balance and the moderating roles of age and sex were also explored. Method:A nationally representative sample of Australian adults (n = 14,065;Mage = 44.4 years; 53.1% women) completed self-report measures of personality, sleep, hedonic balance and demographic variables (e.g. health status, employment status) in late 2013. Results:After controlling for demographic variables, we found that high neuroticism was associated with poorer sleep quality, and both long and short sleep durations (a curvilinear relationship). Small effects were also observed relating high extraversion and low openness to better sleep quality. Hedonic balance mediated all linear and non-linear associations between personality and sleep. Additional moderator analyses showed that high openness was more strongly related to poor sleep quality among men and young adults. High neuroticism was more strongly related to poor sleep quality among men. Conclusion:Findings indicate that personality is important for sleep in adulthood and that hedonic balance features a prominent role in this association. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective:The study aimed to develop a predictive model of how Type D personality influences health behaviours, social support and symptom severity and assess its generalisability to a range of chronic illnesses. Design:Participants were classified as either healthy (n = 182) or having a chronic illness (n = 207). Participants completed an online survey measuring Type D and a range of health-related variables. Chronic illness participants were classified as having either a functional somatic syndrome (i.e. chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia), where the underlying pathological processes were unclear, or illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, where the causes are well understood. Main Outcome Measures:Outcome measures were health behaviours, social support and both physical and psychological symptoms. Results:The rate of Type D was higher in chronic illness participants (53%) than in healthy controls (39%). Negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI) both correlated with outcome measures, although NA was generally the stronger predictor. Using NA and SI as independent subscales led to superior prediction of health outcomes than using categorical or continuous representations. Conclusion:Findings suggest that the relationship between Type D and health outcomes may generalise across different chronic illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study compared levels of state affect, dysphoric mood, and parenting sense of competence in Australian parents of children with or without autism. The effects of personality and location on the parents' experience were also examined, while controlling for current affect. Possible relationships among personality, location factors and help-seeking behavior were also explored in parents of children with autism. Prior findings of higher dysphoric mood levels in parents of children with autism were supported, as was the positive correlation between dysphoric moods and Neuroticism levels. Parenting Sense of Competence did not differ across locations, and there were no parent type by location interactions. Access to services among parents of a child with autism did not moderate dysphoria levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Selection of physicians into anesthesiology, intensive care, and emergency medicine training has traditionally relied on evaluation of curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, and interviews, despite these methods being poor predictors of subsequent workplace performance.Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and face validity of incorporating assessment of nontechnical skills in simulation and personality traits into an existing junior doctor selection framework.Methods: Candidates short-listed for a critical care residency position were invited to participate in the study. On the interview day, consenting candidates participated in a simulation scenario and debriefing and completed a personality test (16 Personality Factor Questionnaire) and a survey. Timing of participants' progression through the stations and faculty staff numbers were evaluated. Nontechnical skills were evaluated and candidates ranked using the Ottawa Crisis Resource Management Global Rating Scale (Ottawa GRS). Nontechnical skills ranking and traditional selection method ranking were compared using the concordance correlation coefficient. Interrater reliability was assessed using the concordance correlation coefficient.Measurements and Main Results: Thirteen of 20 eligible participants consented to study inclusion. All participants completed the necessary stations without significant time delays. Eighteen staff members were required to conduct interviews, simulation, debriefing, and personality testing. Participants rated the simulation station to be acceptable, fair, and relevant and as providing an opportunity to demonstrate abilities. Personality testing was rated less fair, less relevant, and less acceptable, and as giving less opportunity to demonstrate abilities. Participants reported that simulation was equally as stressful as the interview, whereas personality testing was rated less stressful. Assessors rated both personality testing and simulation as acceptable and able to provide additional information about candidates. The Ottawa GRS showed moderate interrater concordance. There was moderate concordance between rankings based on traditional selection methods and Ottawa GRS rankings (ρ = 0.52; 95% confidence interval, -0.02 to 0.82; P = 0.06).Conclusions: A multistation selection process involving interviews, simulation, and personality testing is feasible and has face validity. A potential barrier to adoption is the high number of faculty required to conduct the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This study examined the relationships between the personality traits of conscientiousness, openness and extraversion at trait and facet-levels and three indicators of work role performance; proficiency, 'adaptivity' and proactivity measured at individual, team and organisational levels. Background This is one of the first studies to explore the relationship between personality, measured at trait and facet-level and performance using a comprehensive range of performance indicators. Method An online survey of 393 nurses from health-care organisations across Australia was conducted to test hypothesised relationships. Results Path analyses revealed numerous relationships between personality, measured at both trait and facet-levels, and work role performance. Conscientiousness was highlighted as the strongest driver of work role performance across all the indicators, with extraversion also strongly associated with work role performance. Openness to experience, previously considered a week predictor of performance, was, when examined at the facet-level, related to all of the work role performance indicators. Conclusions Results suggests a bandwidth effect, where the personality traits drive global performance while the facets drive specific performance. Implications for nursing management Better understanding of the relationship between personality and work role performance will help nurse managers to foster the fit between individual and organisation, improving job satisfaction, engagement, retention and performance in role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background With ever increasing demands on emergency services it is necessary to consider how to enhance the recruitment and retention of emergency nurses in public hospitals. Personality is known to influence occupational choice, yet there is a lack of research exploring how personality may influence the workforce decisions of emergency nurses. Methods A standardised personality test instrument, the NEO™-PI-3, was used in a survey design inclusive of demographic questions to measure personality characteristics. Data were collected from 72 emergency nurses working at an Australian Emergency Department between July and October 2012. The personality scores of emergency nurses were compared against general population norms in each of five personality domains and their 30 associated facets. Results Participants scored higher than population norms in the domains of Extraversion ( p < .001), Openness to experience ( p < .001) and Agreeableness ( p = .001), and in twelve facets, including excitement-seeking ( p < .001) and competence ( p = .003). Conclusion The personality profile of this sample of emergency nurses is different to the population norm. Assessment of personality and knowledge of its influence on specialty selection may assist in improving retention and recruitment in emergency nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the extent to which being predisposed towards engaging in acts of gratitude and forgiveness is associated with enhanced quality of life (QoL), and whether these associations are mediated by positive and negative affective states. The study sample comprised 327 people with one of three chronic illnesses (arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes). Participants completed self-report measures of two positive predispositions (the tendencies towards gratitude and forgiveness), two affective states (positive and negative) and three indices of QoL (physical, psychological and satisfaction with life). As hypothesised, gratitude, and to a lesser extent forgiveness, predicted enhanced QoL, with most effects mediated via increased positive affect. Findings support the view that predispositions towards interpersonal gratitude, and possibly interpersonal forgiveness, may bolster the QoL of people living with chronic physical illness. Consistent with contemporary theories of positive emotion, gratitude appears to have its effects via enhancing positive affect. The study adds to the emerging evidence that a predisposition towards gratitude benefits QoL and extends past findings by identifying a mechanism that is important in people with chronic illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory – III (MCMI-III), this study examined what personality factors, if any, would predict retention within therapeutic community (TC) treatment for residents presenting with amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) use disorders. The study utilised a prospective, cohort design. Participants were 213 residents (130 males) from 12 TCs in Australia, with ages ranging from 19 to 58 years. The MCMI-III was administered at the commencement of the study and follow-up discharge information was obtained from TCs at 12 months post-baseline to determine which residents had completed the treatment programme and the reason for discharge. The study revealed a high prevalence of personality and psychopathology symptomatology within an ATS-using population with scores in the clinical range (>84) on a number of personality factors. Those most likely to have left treatment prematurely or been discharged scored higher on Antisocial, Narcissistic, Negativistic, Sadistic, Schizoid, Schizotypal, Alcohol Dependence, Drug Dependence, Dysthymia, and Major Depression scales. However, no significant personality differences were observed between programme completers and non-completers. While a follow-up measure of personality was not taken, results of this study suggest personality functioning may be improved during treatment. This raises possibilities for TCs and other treatment services in relation to the inclusion of specific treatment interventions within the TC. It is recommended that future research examine the extent to which ATS users' personality pathology changes during TC-based treatment, to provide a further insight into suitable evidence-based treatment approaches specific to an ATS-using population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Medical schools worldwide have developed rural primary care immersive experiences to nurture students' interest in future rural careers and address workforce shortages. Few studies have looked at the students who participate in these programs. This study explores personality traits in US and Australian students who undertake rural-focused medical training. Methods A cross-sectional cohort design used the Temperament and Character Inventory to identify levels of the 7 basic dimensions of personality. Data were collected in successive cohorts over 2007-2011. Multivariate analysis compared trait levels between groups and by demographic variables. Findings The majority of the 302 students (US-167; Australia-135) were female, aged 20-29 years and single. A greater proportion of US students reported being partnered, living longest in a small rural/remote community and having a rural background. Significant differences between groups were detected in several traits but effect sizes were small. The personality pattern of the combined sample indicates students with a mature and stable personality high in Self-Directedness, Persistence, and Cooperativeness. Rural background and marital status enhanced this pattern. Conclusions Despite coming from different educational and societal backgrounds, similar personality patterns are evident in US and Australian students who pursue rural medical education. Data provide support for a pattern of traits associated with a rural background and its predictive influence on interest in rural practice. Considering the international expansion of rural longitudinal integrated clerkships, understanding student attributes may assist in identifying strategies to enhance the rural workforce that are relevant across cultures and continents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Allied health (AH) includes many diverse professions, each with a unique contribution to healthcare, making it possible to consider these professions as person oriented (PO) or technique oriented (TO). This paper explored the personality traits of AH professionals from the perspective of both the PO or TO orientation and the individual professions. Methods. AH professionals (n = 562) provided demographic data and completed the Temperament and Character Inventory. Examination of the literature and a consultation process resulted in nine professions classified as PO and 10 classified as TO. Multivariate analyses compared levels of personality traits and demographic variables between the PO (n = 492) and TO (n = 70) groups, and the professions within the groups. Results. Professionals in the PO group showed significantly higher levels of traits that emphasise person orientation attributes, such as being sociable, empathic and cooperative, compared with AH professionals in professions with an emphasis on TO. Conclusions. Trends in personality traits among AH professionals were congruent with the PO and TO aspects of their chosen profession. This supports the usefulness of the PO and TO concepts in describing AH professions and may provide new clues for policy aiming to enhance job satisfaction, retention and career development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality may influence the risk of death, but the evidence remains inconsistent. We examined associations between personality traits of the five-factor model (extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience) and the risk of death from all causes through individual-participant meta-analysis of 76,150 participants from 7 cohorts (the British Household Panel Survey, 2006–2009; the German Socio-Economic Panel Study, 2005–2010; the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, 2006–2010; the US Health and Retirement Study, 2006–2010; the Midlife in the United States Study, 1995–2004; and the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study's graduate and sibling samples, 1993–2009). During 444,770 person-years at risk, 3,947 participants (54.4% women) died (mean age at baseline = 50.9 years; mean follow-up = 5.9 years). Only low conscientiousness—reflecting low persistence, poor self-control, and lack of long-term planning—was associated with elevated mortality risk when taking into account age, sex, ethnicity/nationality, and all 5 personality traits. Individuals in the lowest tertile of conscientiousness had a 1.4 times higher risk of death (hazard ratio = 1.37, 95% confidence interval: 1.18, 1.58) compared with individuals in the top 2 tertiles. This association remained after further adjustment for health behaviors, marital status, and education. In conclusion, of the higher-order personality traits measured by the five-factor model, only conscientiousness appears to be related to mortality risk across populations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Prior research has found evidence of a general negative personality stereotype for individuals who have anorexia nervosa (AN). Methods: This study examined the expected personality characteristics of individuals with AN using the Five-Factor Model of personality to allow identification of specific personality traits that are part of the AN stereotype. The study used an experimental method with random assignment of 636 participants to read detailed descriptions of individuals who were described as having AN or not and as being either male or female and then to rate the individuals on Five-Factor personality characteristics. Results: The results showed that participants rated individuals with AN significantly lower on the personality factors of agreeableness, extroversion, emotional stability, and openness. There was no significant difference in ratings on the factor of conscientiousness when the targets had AN and when they did not. The negative openness expectation was the opposite of how individuals with AN actually scored in prior research. There was no significant interaction between AN status and gender in expected personality characteristics. Conclusions: Overall, the results indicate the existence of a specific negative stereotype with potentially harmful consequences for both females and males with AN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article identifies several factors associated with psychiatric morbidity and hazardous alcohol use among physicians in Australia. These include stressors within and outside of work, personality type, family history of mental illness, high stress and anxiety levels, being male, being a surgeon and having experienced a medico-legal matter. The study used results from a cross-sectional postal survey of physicians insured in Australia. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ) were used in the study.

This article examines data collected for the study by Greenway and Milne (2001), which investigated the association between the Capacity for Control and Stress Tolerance cluster of the Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS; Exner, 1995) and the ability of individuals to take control of their internal states—emotional, cognitive and those related to their actions and reactions. The data consisted of the Rorschach protocols of 128 participants in an urban, community sample, collected by graduate students in the second year of a master's degree in counseling psychology. All of these students had been trained thoroughly in administering the Rorschach and had experience in practicing psychological assessment and counseling for between 8 and 11 months in professional settings. The exclusion criteria are described and the interrater reliability statistics for several CS variables as well as descriptive statistics are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is widely deployed in work organisations, very little is known about how HR practitioners customise it for use, how employees react to being typed, and how (or if) they apply it in their daily work. This article reports the findings of a study that used interviews with HR practitioners and employees to investigate perceptions and uses of the MBTI in an Australian manufacturing site. A variety of interpretations and uses was found, illustrating that the effects of a device like the MBTI cannot simply be read off from the normative claims contained within it. Despite the variety of uses to which the tool was put, employees judged its effects to be moderately beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the ability of neuroticism to explain variance in burnout scores obtained from a sample of Australian case managers who work with individuals experiencing unemployment. Using a longitudinal survey methodology, 70 case managers completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI; Maslach, Jackson, & Leiter, 1996) on 2 occasions. Case managers also completed the Work Environment Scale (Moos, 1994) and the short form of the revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Eysenck & Eysenck, 1991) on the first occasion. In a series of hierarchical regression analyses, neuroticism added significantly to the explanation of variance in all 3 MBI subscales after summary scores describing work stress and work relationships had been entered at an earlier step. An investigation of whether emotional exhaustion mediated the influence of neuroticism on depersonalization found that emotional exhaustion satisfied the criteria for complete mediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A random sample of 1033 adults in an Australian community survey completed a form containing the abbreviated Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire together with an index of community involvement in a range of secular groups and church attendance. The data indicate that different personality characteristics are associated with church attendance on the one hand and with secular areas of community involvement on the other hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the evidence of a Myers-Briggs personality type bias for accounting students. A survey of a sample of accounting majors in three Australian universities supports the overseas evidence that there appears to be a strong tendency for accounting students to have common preferences on three of the four Myers-Briggs dimensions. The findings of this research suggest that while significant diversity is still evident, there is a bias in the Myers-Briggs personality profiles of accounting students towards preferences for sensation over intuition, thinking over feeling, and judgment over perception. Research in psychology and education has shown that different Myers-Briggs personality preferences are associated with significant differences in how people prefer to learn, and the types of learning experiences under which they perform best, that is personality types are associated with distinct learning styles. These outcomes suggest that accounting educators should cater to the variety of personality types among their students by adopting a diversified teaching approach. Such an approach should provide a balance of learning experiences and teaching strategies by attempting to challenge the weaknesses of the personality bias of accounting students in the intuition, feeling and perception areas, and building upon their strengths in the sensation, thinking and judgment areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliance on self-report to measure problematic smartphone use is a limitation of the extant literature. It is unclear whether self- and other-ratings of problematic smartphone use converge and whether correlations between personality and self-reported problematic smartphone use are distorted by common method bias. The current study provides the first comprehensive assessment of self-other agreement of problematic smartphone use and the relationship between personality and other-rated problematic smartphone use in a large sample of young adults. Focal participants (n = 1073) were Australian university students who completed measures of Big Five (IPIP) and HEXACO (HEXACO PI-R) personality, and problematic smartphone use. One or more people who knew the focal participant well (n = 2445) rated the focal participant's problematic smartphone use. People rated their own smartphone use as more problematic than did others. Self- and other-ratings of problematic smartphone use correlated 0.38. The pattern of self-other and other-other correlations indicated that self-ratings were more accurate than other-ratings. The pattern of high neuroticism and low conscientiousness predicting greater problematic smartphone use was observed for both self- and other-ratings. Findings suggest that self-report measures are reasonably valid, problematic smartphone usage is observable, and the relationship between personality and problematic smartphone use is robust. • There is agreement between self-rated and other-rated problematic smartphone use. • Self-rated personality predicts other-rated problematic smartphone use. • Problematic smartphone use has elements that are objective and observable by others. • Self-rated problematic smartphone use scales are reliable measures for research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road user behaviour and personality traits are important determinants of driver crash risk. While a great deal of research has been undertaken to understand the relationships between crash involvement, behaviours and personality traits for motor vehicle drivers, comparatively few studies have considered these factors for cyclists. This manuscript presents the findings of a study conducted amongst a sample of six hundred and fifteen (615) Australian cyclists, investigating these issues. The aim of this research was to establish a structure for a cycling behaviour questionnaire applicable to a cohort of Australian cyclists. Using the dimensions identified from the questionnaire, the research investigated the relationship between self-reported crashes, behaviours and personality traits, in order to further develop our understanding of risk factors associated with cycling. Personality traits (agreeableness, extroversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience) were measured using the Big Five Inventory. While cyclist behaviour was measured using a modified version of the cyclist behaviour questionnaire developed by the Dutch national road safety research centre (SWOV). Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was performed on the cycling behaviour questionnaire to identify underlying subscales of behaviour. The PCA identified a two dimension model representing violations (α = 0.74) and errors (α = 0.65), consisting of 16 items from the original 22 item cyclist behaviour questionnaire. Linear regressions for each of the cyclist behaviour factors identified that age was negatively associated with errors and violations, indicating that older cyclists report fewer errors or violations. Similarly, there was a negative association with average weekly kilometres travelled. Gender was a significant predictor of errors, but not violations, with male cyclists reporting fewer errors than females. When considering personality traits, there was a positive association between extroversion and both errors and violations. Significant negative associations were identified for agreeableness and conscientiousness. Neither neuroticism nor openness to experience were associated with the frequency of errors or violations. The research identified that demographics, travel characteristics and personality traits provide insight into engagement in aberrant cycling behaviours and these behaviours are associated with self-reported crash involvement. The research provides insight into behaviours that could be targeted with appropriate education and enforcement strategies., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor says the issue focuses on the reliability and validity of brief cognitive assessments like Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, Mini Mental Status Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

This study compares a sample of Australian working adults who completed the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI) as part of selection processes and/or team building exercises with a sample of US working adults collected by Hogan and Hogan (1995). Results showed that, overall, the Australian sample scored higher on all of the HPI primary scales but this may have been due, in part, to the over-representation of tertiary and professional participants in the Australian sample. The study also examines aspects of the validity of the Hogan Personality Inventory through factor analyses and comparison with the NEO-PI-R and the Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory (MVPI). Consistent with the original factor analysis conducted by Hogan and Hogan (1995), results provided some overlap with the HPI scales and suggested that there were more than seven factors. Further, as expected, the HPI scales correlated in the expected directions with relevant NEO-PI-R and MVPI scales and provided some support for the construct validity of the HPI. Suggestions for further research and implications for the use of the test in applied settings in Australia are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the accumulating evidence that performance in medical school and beyond is related to personality, it is important for research to consider how personality assessment can be included as part of the process of selecting medical students. Interviews are one way of measuring personality and this study extends prior research investigating whether the multiple mini interview (MMI) is related to the five factor model of personality. In contrast to prior results (Kulasegaram et al. in Adv Health Sci Edu 15:415-423, 2010), examination of MMI scores for 868 applicants to an Australian medical school over 3 years showed significant uncorrected correlations every year with extraversion (.19, .19, .30) and conscientiousness (.20, .22, .25) and with agreeableness in 2 years (.17, .19). Investigation of personality at a facet-level revealed differing relationships with the MMI within the five factors of personality. MMI scores were also correlated in 2 years (.17, .22) with a situational judgment test of interpersonal understanding (UMAT Section 2) but were unrelated to tests of logical reasoning ability (UMAT Section 1), non-verbal reasoning (Section 3), or past academic performance (Higher School Certificate results).

Selection processes for medical schools need to be unbiased, valid, and psychometrically reliable, as well as evidence-based and transparent to all stakeholders. A range of academic and non-academic criteria are used for selection, including matriculation scores, aptitude tests and interviews. Research into selection is fraught with methodological difficulties; however, it shows positive benefits for structured selection processes. Pretest coaching and "faking good" are potential limitations of current selection procedures. Developments in medical school selection include the use of personality tests, centralised selection centres and programs to increase participation by socially disadvantaged students.

Studies in Sweden and Australia have examined the relationship between number of CAG repeats in the androgen receptor gene and psychological traits - three Masculinity-Femininity (M-F) measures in Australia, and the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP) in Sweden. The present study derived M-F scales from the KSP items, and scales corresponding to several KSP scales from the items of the inventories used in Australia, to permit cross-validation of the Australian results in the Swedish sample, and vice versa. The derivation of scales was facilitated by the fact that items from both inventories had been used with a large twin sample in the US. Correlation of the derived scales with androgen receptor gene CAG-repeat scores for women in the Australian and Swedish samples failed to provide clear evidence of replication of either set of original correlations in the other sample, although there were a few hints of consistency. It was concluded that if the number of CAG repeats on this gene is related to psychological traits at all, the relationship is a weak one.

In contrast to the extensive research effort to understand the genetic contribution to alcoholism risk, there has been little research directed at understanding genetic influences on smoking behavior. Data from large twin studies in Scandinavia and Australia are consistent with a major genetic influence on the probability that an individual will become a smoker ("initiation") and will persist in the smoking habit once smoking has started ("persistence"). We use data from the 1988/1989 follow-up survey of the Australian NH&MRC twin panel to determine to what degree personality measures (Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire--Revised) and attitudinal and sociodemographic variables (social and political conservatism, education, religious involvement) might account for genetic or environmental influences on smoking. While we find significant phenotypic associations between these variables and smoking, these are too modest to account for much of the genetic variance. Possible mechanisms by which this genetic variance may arise are discussed.

This paper compared the effect of life change in adjustment of overseas students with those of Australian students. 342 students were divided into 4 experimental groups. There were: Overseas students with residence of less than one year (OV1 group, N = 44), overseas students with residence of more than one year (OV2 group, N = 81), Australian students raised in Brisbane (A3, N = 105) and Australian students raised outside Brisbane (A4, N = 112). The result of discriminate analysis showed that overseas students (OV2) were significantly more likely to experience moderate to severe clinical depression and loneliness than the Australian students. Age and expectation of difficulty in study were the best predictors for depression in overseas students.

In an age-matched sample of male and female inpatient alcoholics of the same ethnic background, the mean Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) score declined significantly with age group and was lowest in elderly people. Females and first-admission subjects recorded lower mean MAST scores. A correlation was noted in both sexes between reported alcohol consumption and MAST scores. Although screening tests such as MAST have been found of value in detecting alcoholism in high-risk populations, this study of some of the MAST parameters in a clinical population suggests that some of the "invisible" and older alcoholics might not be grossly disturbed persons and that other more subtle behavioural clues to diagnosis should be determined. Despite the limitations inherent in any diagnostic technique, the ultimate detection of invisible alcoholics lies at the interface of clinical judgement, the use of screening tests, community awareness and the development of personal responsibility.

Two groups of care-givers to dementia sufferers were interviewed to assess their psychological symptoms and the behaviour problems of the dementia sufferers. The first group were using special dementia day care while the second group were about to begin using it. The second group were re-interviewed three months later. Therefore two comparisons could be made; a with/without day care comparison and a before/after admission to day care comparison. Care-givers had a high level of psychological symptoms which were not significantly reduced by using day care. Full-time institutional care did reduce distress. Day centre clients continued to deteriorate as would be expected with a degenerative condition. While special dementia day care centres appear to play a useful role for many care-givers, they may provide too few hours relief per week to markedly reduce the care-givers' psychological symptoms. Family care-givers currently take the major role in caring for dementia sufferers in the community and the burden of care needs to be shared more equitably.

The paper reviews articles in the field of research in medical education specifically dealing with the factors involved in the choice of Psychiatry as a medical specialty and describes three studies conducted in Melbourne. These studies focus on the relevance of personality factors in the psychiatrist's choice of a career. While they confirm other work in this field, it is felt that the emphasis should no longer be placed on single factors. Future investigations should be multifactorial in design and analysis to highlight the combination of factors underlying such choices.

A total of 750 teachers from 16 government and non-government schools from areas of contrasted socio-economic status (SES) responded to a questionnaire designed to investigate associations between selected aspects of burnout among teachers working in secondary schools in Victoria, Australia. By comparing high and low burnout groups on biographic, psychological and work pattern variables, differences between teachers experiencing high and low levels of burnout were identified. Multiple regression analyses assessed the relative importance of these variables in accounting for the variance in each of the three burnout subscales. School type was related to perceptions of stress and burnout. Higher levels of burnout were associated with poorer physical health, higher rates of absenteeism, lower self-confidence and more frequent use of regressive coping strategies. Teachers classified as experiencing high levels of burnout attributed most of the stress in their lives to teaching and reported low levels of career commitment and satisfaction. Further, teachers who recorded high levels of burnout were characterised by lower levels of the personality disposition of hardiness, lower levels of social support, higher levels of role stress and more custodial pupil control ideologies than their low-burnout counterparts. Psychological variables were found to be more significant predictors of burnout than biographical variables.

Secondary school results were compared with personality test scores as predictors of achievement in medical school in a study of a cohort of students, using simple correlation and multiple linear regression. The cohort of 151 students completed 28 courses in the 6 years. We have previously reported that the scores obtained could be reduced to five independent factors: 'physical science'; 'biological science'; 'paraclinical science'; 'basic clinical science'; and 'clinical science'. Both secondary school scores and personality test scores correlated with medical school achievement factors, but school scores correlated best with 'physical' and 'biological' science. Considering secondary school scores, English was the best predictor of 'clinical science', physics was the best predictor of 'basic clinical science' and scores obtained in physics and languages were better predictors of medical school 'biological science' than was school biology. Personality factors were better predictors of 'biological', 'paraclinical' and 'clinical science' than secondary school scores and the combined secondary school score (CSS) was the best predictor of 'physical science' and of 'overall achievement'. We conclude that incorporation of personality measurement with school academic achievement could be of value in selection procedures for applicants for medical school.

When general population samples are assessed on two occasions with psychiatric symptom or personality measures, a mean change in scores towards less psychopathology is often observed. This re-test artefact is a potential threat to the validity of longitudinal studies. Data from a longitudinal general population study were analysed to discover under what circumstances the re-test artefact occurs. It was found that the artefact is unrelated to the time lag between occasions, being equally strong at intervals ranging from 4 to 34 weeks. However, the artefact did not occur for all measures, but was confined to those assessing negative self-characteristics and administered orally by an interviewer. These findings are consistent with both the 'mechanical responding' and 'social desirability' hypotheses of the re-test artefact.

This study compared 47 patients with chronic low back pain who were involved in personal injury litigation with 33 patients not seeking compensation who were also complaining of low back pain. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale and the adjectival check-list of the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Psychological state was assessed using the Zung Depression Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Eysenck Personality Inventory and the Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire. The group involved in litigation contained significantly more males, and the duration of pain was significantly less. The mean age of the 'compensation' group was less than that of the 'no compensation' group, but this did not reach statistical significance at the 5% level. There was no difference between the two groups on ratings of pain severity or pain description, and no difference on measures of psychological disturbance. Both groups had significant elevations of mean depression, neuroticism, state anxiety and trait anxiety scores when compared with the normal population. It was concluded that there is no support for the claim that personal injury litigants describe their pain as more severe than do non-litigants, and that both groups show similar levels of psychological disturbance.

A revised validated version of the Toddler Temperament Scale (TTS) was used to develop normative data for temperament in Australian toddlers. Results confirm the accepted practice of dividing the group into younger and older toddlers, with normative data reported for those younger and older than 24 months. The TTS can be used above the normal cut-off age of 36 months. Care must be taken with interpretation of temperament scores, especially when comparing children of different backgrounds.