Personality Pittsburgh Mind-Body Center Pittsburgh Mind-Body Center Summer Institute 2006.

PersonalityPersonality

Pittsburgh Mind-Body Center Pittsburgh Mind-Body Center

Summer InstituteSummer Institute

20062006

Overview of TalkOverview of Talk

• What’s personalityWhat’s personality

• Insights into doing personality Insights into doing personality

researchresearch

• Major dimensions of personalityMajor dimensions of personality

• Personality and healthPersonality and health- Which dimensions matter from common Which dimensions matter from common

pathway model?pathway model?

Informally Defining the Informally Defining the DomainDomain

• Captures prominent characteristics Captures prominent characteristics

(individual uniqueness)(individual uniqueness)

• Consistency and continuity in Consistency and continuity in

behaviorbehavior

– Across timeAcross time

– Across situationsAcross situations

• Internal locus of causationInternal locus of causation

Formally Defining the Formally Defining the DomainDomain

Personality is a dynamic Personality is a dynamic

organization, organization, inside the personinside the person, of , of

psychophysical systems that create psychophysical systems that create

the person’s the person’s characteristic patterns characteristic patterns

of behavior, thoughts, and feelingsof behavior, thoughts, and feelings..

Gordon Allport (1961)Gordon Allport (1961)

Personality AssessmentPersonality Assessment

• Physiological assessmentPhysiological assessment

• Peer/other ratingsPeer/other ratings

• Structured interviewStructured interview

• Self-reportSelf-report

– ProjectiveProjective

– ObjectiveObjective

Scheier’s DictumsScheier’s Dictums

• Don’t judge a scale by it’s title!Don’t judge a scale by it’s title!

• Decompose, don’t aggregate!Decompose, don’t aggregate!

• Factor analysis is more subjective Factor analysis is more subjective

than than you think!you think!




• Factor analysis is more intuitive Factor analysis is more intuitive


Optimism vs. DepressionOptimism vs. Depression

• I felt hopeful about my future. I felt hopeful about my future.

• I rarely count on good things I rarely count on good things happening to me.happening to me.

Optimism vs. DepressionOptimism vs. Depression

• I felt hopeful about my future. I felt hopeful about my future. (D)(D)

• I rarely count on good things I rarely count on good things happening to me. (O)happening to me. (O)

Self-Esteem vs. AnxietySelf-Esteem vs. Anxiety

• I am able to do things as well as I am able to do things as well as most other people.most other people.

• I lack self-confidence.I lack self-confidence.

Self-Esteem vs. AnxietySelf-Esteem vs. Anxiety

• I am able to do things as well as I am able to do things as well as most other people. (SE)most other people. (SE)

• I lack self-confidence.I lack self-confidence. (A) (A)

Depression vs. Activity levelDepression vs. Activity level

• I like to be off and running as I like to be off and running as soon soon as I wake up in the as I wake up in the morning. morning.

• I could not get going.I could not get going.

Depression vs. Activity levelDepression vs. Activity level

• I like to be off and running as I like to be off and running as soon soon as I wake up in the as I wake up in the morning. (A)morning. (A)

• I could not get going. (D)I could not get going. (D)

Optimism vs. NeuroticismOptimism vs. Neuroticism

• You have usually been optimistic You have usually been optimistic about your future. about your future.

• I’m always optimistic about my I’m always optimistic about my future.future.

Optimism vs. NeuroticismOptimism vs. Neuroticism

• You have usually been optimistic You have usually been optimistic about your future. (N)about your future. (N)

• I’m always optimistic about my I’m always optimistic about my future. (O)future. (O)

Evaluating Personality Evaluating Personality ScalesScales

Conceptual definitionConceptual definition

(variable)(variable)

Operational definitionOperational definition

(item)(item)




• Factor analysis is more Factor analysis is more

intuitive than intuitive than you think!you think!

Hypothetical Hypothetical AssociationsAssociations

KSSKSS

SymptomsSymptoms XX

Immune functionImmune function

ReactivityReactivity XX

MorbidityMorbidity

MortalityMortality


EIEI AA OO WW

SymptomsSymptoms ?? ?? ?? ??

Immune FunctionImmune Function

ReactivityReactivity ?? ?? ?? ??

MorbidityMorbidity

MortalityMortality


EIEI AA OO WW

SymptomsSymptoms XX XX XX XX

Immune FunctionImmune Function XX XX

ReactivityReactivity XX XX XX

MorbidityMorbidity XX

MortalityMortality XX

OO

LOTLOT NEUROTICISMNEUROTICISM

OptimismOptimism

EmotionalEmotionalInstabilityInstability

WorryWorry

AnxietyAnxiety

WW

AAOO

EIEI




• Factor analysis is more intuitive Factor analysis is more intuitive


Steps in Factor Steps in Factor AnalysisAnalysis

• Derive intercorrelation matrix of itemsDerive intercorrelation matrix of items

• Do the factor analysisDo the factor analysis

• Examine the pattern of “factor loadings”Examine the pattern of “factor loadings”

– Correlations between items and underlying Correlations between items and underlying

hypothetical factorshypothetical factors

• Label the factorsLabel the factors

– Taking into account factor loadings of itemsTaking into account factor loadings of items

What’s My Name?What’s My Name?

1.1. I rarely get into arguments.I rarely get into arguments.

2.2. I’d rather be a leader than a follower.I’d rather be a leader than a follower.

3.3. I’m a pretty easygoing person.I’m a pretty easygoing person.

4.4. I like to be with people.I like to be with people.

5.5. I’m really inefficient.I’m really inefficient.

6.6. I enjoy interacting socially.I enjoy interacting socially.

7. I hate to give up on projects once I’ve started 7. I hate to give up on projects once I’ve started them.them.

8. 8. I can be cold at times.I can be cold at times.

9.9. It’s important for me to do well at work.It’s important for me to do well at work.

Factor LoadingsFactor Loadings

Factor A B C

Item 1 .62 .15 .01

Item 2 .03 - .08 .49

Item 3 .54 .04 - .20

Item 4 .10 .11 .56

Item 5 -.12 - .62 .18

Item 6 .07 .08 .50

Item 7 - .02 .72 .12

Item 8 - .72 .07 -.06

Item 9 .08 .48 .08

Factor AFactor A

Item 1.Item 1. I rarely get into arguments. (.62)I rarely get into arguments. (.62)

Item 3.Item 3. I’m a pretty easygoing person. (.54)I’m a pretty easygoing person. (.54)

Item 8.Item 8. I can be cold at times. (- .72)I can be cold at times. (- .72)

Factor BFactor B

Item 5.Item 5. I’m really inefficient. (- .62)I’m really inefficient. (- .62)

Item 7.Item 7. I hate to give up on projects once I hate to give up on projects once

I’ve I’ve started them. (.72)started them. (.72)

Item 9.Item 9. It’s important for me to do well at It’s important for me to do well at

work. (.48)work. (.48)

Factor CFactor C

Item 2.Item 2. I’d rather be a leader than a follower. I’d rather be a leader than a follower.

(.49) (.49)

Item 4.Item 4. I like to be with people. (.56)I like to be with people. (.56)

Item 6.Item 6. I enjoy interacting socially. I enjoy interacting socially. (.50)(.50)

Major Dimensions of Major Dimensions of PersonalityPersonality

• ExtraversionExtraversion

• EmotionalityEmotionality

• AgreeablenessAgreeableness

• ConscientiousnessConscientiousness

• Openness to experienceOpenness to experience

The “Big Five”The “Big Five”

Problems with the Big Problems with the Big fivefive

• Aggregation vs. decomposition Aggregation vs. decomposition problemproblem

• Identification of dimensions not Identification of dimensions not clearclear

• Some dimensions aren’t representedSome dimensions aren’t represented

Labels Used to Refer to The “Big 5” Labels Used to Refer to The “Big 5” Factors: Factors:

Fiske (1949), Norman (1963), Borgatta (1964), Fiske (1949), Norman (1963), Borgatta (1964), Digman (1990), and Costa & McCrae (1985)Digman (1990), and Costa & McCrae (1985)

Factor 1:Factor 1:– Social adaptabilitySocial adaptability– SurgencySurgency– AssertivenessAssertiveness– ExtraversionExtraversion– ExtraversionExtraversion



Factor 2:Factor 2:– ConformityConformity– AgreeablenessAgreeableness– LikeabilityLikeability– Friendly complianceFriendly compliance– AgreeablenessAgreeableness



Factor 3:Factor 3:– Will to achieveWill to achieve– ConscientiousnessConscientiousness– ResponsibilityResponsibility– Will to achieveWill to achieve– ConscientiousnessConscientiousness



Factor 4:Factor 4:– Emotional controlEmotional control– EmotionalityEmotionality– EmotionalityEmotionality– NeuroticismNeuroticism– NeuroticismNeuroticism



Factor 5:Factor 5:– Inquiring intellectInquiring intellect– CultureCulture– IntelligenceIntelligence– IntellectIntellect– Openness to experienceOpenness to experience

Problems with the Big Problems with the Big fivefive

• Aggregation vs. decomposition Aggregation vs. decomposition problemproblem

• Identification of dimensions not Identification of dimensions not clearclear

• Some dimensions aren’t representedSome dimensions aren’t represented

What’s This?What’s This?

= .17 EX - .30 EM + .13 A + .16 C = .17 EX - .30 EM + .13 A + .16 C + .14 O+ .14 O

Hint:Hint:

Optimism in Head & Neck Cancer Optimism in Head & Neck Cancer PatientsPatients

• Sample…Sample…

• 101 newly diagnosed head & neck cancer 101 newly diagnosed head & neck cancer patients at a university hospital in Francepatients at a university hospital in France

• 94 were male94 were male• Average age = 58.3 yearsAverage age = 58.3 years• 35 had early stage cancer; 35 stage III; and 31 35 had early stage cancer; 35 stage III; and 31

stage IVstage IV

Optimism!Optimism!

Optimism (LOT-R) = Optimism (LOT-R) =

.17 EX - .30 EM + .13 A + .16 C .17 EX - .30 EM + .13 A + .16 C + .14 O+ .14 O

Multiple R = .54Multiple R = .54

R Square = .27R Square = .27

Personality and Physical Personality and Physical HealthHealth

Several potential personality Several potential personality variables implicated:variables implicated:

• Hostility/cynicismHostility/cynicism

• Style of emotional suppressionStyle of emotional suppression

• PessimismPessimism

• Depressed affectDepressed affect

Hostility/CynicismHostility/Cynicism

Associated with:Associated with:

• CHD incidenceCHD incidence

• Major CHD events (MI, CHD death)Major CHD events (MI, CHD death)

• Total mortalityTotal mortality

• CHD risk factorsCHD risk factors

Emotional SuppressionEmotional Suppression


• CHD incidenceCHD incidence

• Subclinical CVD markersSubclinical CVD markers

• Cancer incidence/progressionCancer incidence/progression

• HIV progressionHIV progression

• AsthmaAsthma

Emotional Suppression and Emotional Suppression and Subclinical CVDSubclinical CVD

(Matthews, Owens, Kuller, et al., 1998)(Matthews, Owens, Kuller, et al., 1998)

541 premenopausal woman were 541 premenopausal woman were evaluated for standard CVD risk factors evaluated for standard CVD risk factors and psychosocial attributes at baseline, and psychosocial attributes at baseline, including trait anger, anxiety, anger-in, including trait anger, anxiety, anger-in,

and public self-consciousnessand public self-consciousness

10 years later 200 women who had been 10 years later 200 women who had been menopausal for at least 5 years were menopausal for at least 5 years were

scanned for carotid atherosclerosis using scanned for carotid atherosclerosis using B-mode ultrasoundB-mode ultrasound

Scans scored for average intima-media Scans scored for average intima-media thickness and plaque indexthickness and plaque index

Mean Anger-in Scores by Mean Anger-in Scores by Intima- Media ThicknessIntima- Media Thickness(data from Matthews, Owens, Kuller, et al., 1998)(data from Matthews, Owens, Kuller, et al., 1998)

13

13.5

14

14.5

15

15.5

16

Anger-in Score

1st Quartile 2nd Quartile 3rd Quartile 4th Quartile

Intima-media Thickness

Optimism/Pessimism Optimism/Pessimism and Physical Well-beingand Physical Well-being

• Rehospitalization following CABG surgery Rehospitalization following CABG surgery

• Recovery from heart transplantationRecovery from heart transplantation

• All-cause mortality; cardiovascular- and All-cause mortality; cardiovascular- and

cancer-cancer- specific mortalityspecific mortality

• Cancer death and MI incidenceCancer death and MI incidence

• Impaired immune functionImpaired immune function

Associated Associated with:with:

Optimism in Head & Neck Cancer Optimism in Head & Neck Cancer PatientsPatients

• Examined whether pessimistic head and Examined whether pessimistic head and neckneck

cancer patients have a greater risk of deathcancer patients have a greater risk of death

1 year after diagnosis than do optimistic1 year after diagnosis than do optimistic

patientspatients

Allison, P.J., Guichard, C., Fung, K, Gilain, L. (2003). Dispositionaloptimism predicts survival status 1 year after diagnosis in head andNeck cancer patients. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 21(3), pp. 543-548.

Optimism in Head & Neck CancerOptimism in Head & Neck Cancer PatientsPatients

Relationship Between Dispositional OptimismRelationship Between Dispositional OptimismAnd 1-Year Survival StatusAnd 1-Year Survival Status

Age, yearsAge, years 35-4935-49 5.155.15 1.63 - 16.39 1.63 - 16.3950-8150-81 ref ref

VariableVariable CategoriesCategories Odds Ratio 95% CI Odds Ratio 95% CI

Cohabitation Cohabitation AloneAlone 4.144.14 1.21 - 14.17 1.21 - 14.17statusstatus Family/friendsFamily/friends ref ref

Disease stageDisease stage LateLate 4.744.74 1.65 - 13.70 1.65 - 13.70EarlyEarly ref ref

FLOTFLOT continuouscontinuous 1.121.12 1.01 - 1.24 1.01 - 1.24

DepressionDepression


• Short-term mortality among MI Short-term mortality among MI patientspatients

• New CHD-related events (onset of New CHD-related events (onset of angina, non-fatal MI)angina, non-fatal MI)

• Cancer-related mortality Cancer-related mortality ??

• Disease progression among HIV+ Disease progression among HIV+ menmen

ConclusionsConclusions

• Personality factors do impact on Personality factors do impact on healthhealth

• It’s better to reveal than obscureIt’s better to reveal than obscure

• A little paranoia goes a long wayA little paranoia goes a long way

• If you do personality research, do it rightIf you do personality research, do it right

Personality Pittsburgh Mind-Body Center Pittsburgh Mind-Body Center Summer Institute 2006.

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