The recording of personality strengths: an analysis of the impact of positive personality features on the long-term outcome of common mental disorders
Author(s)
Yang, Min
Tyrer, Peter
Tyrer, Helen
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Although personality strengths are assessed frequently in occupational and managerial settings and in children, they have been less used in studies of personality disorder. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of a measure of personality strengths derived from the comprehensive version of the Personality Assessment Schedule (CPAS) (i.e., positive and reinforcing traits) on clinical symptoms and functioning. Eighty-nine patients with anxiety and depression seen at the 30-year follow-up point in a cohort study (Nottingham Study of Neurotic Disorder) were administered the Comprehensive version of the PAS (CPAS). A factor analysis of the results determined the main groupings and their impact on long-term outcomes as well as their association with change of outcomes over 30 years. Five positive factors (strengths), forceful considerateness, emotional toughness, cautiousness, independence and discernment accounted for 67.2% of the variance using both Varimax and Promax rotations. Low positive scores were strongly associated with suicide attempts, moderate/severe personality disorder, cothymia (mixed anxiety-depression), greater symptomatology and poor social function. High scores were protective of serious pathology and particularly effective in inhibiting suicidal behaviour. The promotion of personality strengths may be of value in preventing suicidal behaviour and helping pro-social change in those with personality disturbance.
Date Issued
2022-05
Date Acceptance
2022-04-25
Citation
Personality and Mental Health: multidisciplinary studies from personality dysfunction to criminal behaviour, 2022, 16 (2), pp.120-129
ISSN
1932-8621
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
120
End Page
129
Journal / Book Title
Personality and Mental Health: multidisciplinary studies from personality dysfunction to criminal behaviour
Volume
16
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2022 The Authors Personality and Mental Health Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000792348800001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=a2bf6146997ec60c407a63945d4e92bb
Subjects
ANXIETY
CLASSIFICATION
DEPRESSION
DIFFICULTIES
GENERAL NEUROTIC SYNDROME
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
NOTTINGHAM
PSYCHIATRIC CLINICS
Psychiatry
Psychology
Psychology, Social
SCALE
Science & Technology
Social Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2022-05-17