The role of maladaptive personality domains across multiple levels of the HiTOP structure

Daily general discrimination predicts changes in trait negative affectivity: A 30-year cohort longitudinal study using a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model

OBJECTIVE

Increasing evidence indicates discrimination is an emerging risk factor for reducing psychological well-being. Negative affectivity is a personality trait that has been associated with discrimination. Yet, few studies to date have examined the longitudinal relationship between discrimination and personality. The current study addresses this gap by examining how general discrimination and negative affectivity influence each other longitudinally.

METHOD

The Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) dataset was used for the current study. The MIDUS sample (N = 4244) was predominately white (90.7%), 52% female, and had an average age of 46 years old. Individuals completed follow-up measures 10 and 20 years after baseline. Data were analyzed using a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model.

RESULTS

Individuals that scored higher on trait negative affectivity also tended to score higher on perceived daily discrimination. We found general perceived discrimination at age 55 unidirectionally predicted changes in negative affectivity around retirement age, but not from age 45 to 55. In contrast, negative affectivity did not significantly predict increases in perceived discrimination at any timepoint.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that perceived discrimination has pernicious impacts on well-being up to a decade later and may do so by increasing an individual's tendency to experience negative emotions (i.e., negative affectivity).

The Placement of the MMPI-3 Compulsivity (CMP) Scale Within a Hierarchical Structure of Psychopathology

In the current literature on compulsivity, it is unclear whether this construct is best conceptualized as an internalizing disorder, a fear disorder, a thought disorder, or some combination of the three. The Compulsivity (CMP) scale introduced with the MMPI-3 assesses compulsive behaviors. To address the question of compulsivity's placement within a hierarchical psychopathology structure, the current study examined the degree to which CMP scores share variance with internalizing, fear, and thought dysfunction factors using confirmatory factor analyses. Results indicated that a model in which CMP scores cross-loaded onto latent fear and thought dysfunction factors exhibited preferential fit compared to a model in which CMP scores cross-loaded onto a higher-order internalizing factor and a thought dysfunction factor. Constraining equality in the cross-loading of CMP scores onto fear and thought dysfunction factors caused no significant decrement in fit. These findings indicate that the MMPI-3 CMP scale measures both fear and thought dysfunction. Implications and limitations of these findings and future research directions are discussed.

Personality and Sleep Psychopathology: Associations Between the DSM-5 Maladaptive Trait Domains and Multiple Sleep Problems in an Adult Population

Given the lack of sufficient studies exploring the nature of sleep problems from the perspective of the alternative model of personality disorders (AMPD) proposed by the DSM-5, the present study is aimed at determining the associations between five trait domains such as negative affectivity and sleep problems (insomnia, parasomnia, hypersomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorder, restless legs syndrome, and sleep-disordered breathing) in an adult population. Adults aged 18-65 from western Iran were invited to the study via virtual platforms (N = 928; 62% female) and responded online to the Brief Form of Personality Inventory for DSM-5 and the Holland Sleep Disorder Questionnaire to assess sleep problems. The regression analyses indicated that the AMPD trait domains could significantly predict both specific sleep problems (R2 ranges from 0.13 to 0.17; all p ≤ 0.001) and total score of sleep problems (R2 = 0.23; p < 0.001). Psychoticism (β ranges from 0.26 to 0.39; all p < 0.001) and negative affectivity (β ranges from 0.14 to 0.29; all p ≤ 0.002) were the strongest specific domains associated with all sleep problems. The findings highlighted links between maladaptive domains of the AMPD and multiple sleep problems. The unique profiles of each sleep problem are useful in selecting treatments tailored to specific sleep problems in adults.

How strongly are trait positive and negative affectivity associated with anxiety symptoms? A multilevel meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies in anxiety disorders

There are well-established theoretical and empirical foundations for a negative association between trait positive affectivity and anxiety symptoms in anxiety disorders and a positive association between trait negative affectivity and anxiety symptoms, respectively. However, no previous meta-analysis systematically estimated to what extent trait positive and negative affectivity are associated with anxiety symptoms in anxiety disorders. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to obtain an evidence-based estimate of the associations between trait positive and negative affectivity with anxiety symptoms in anxiety disorders. We performed a systematic search including studies reporting estimates of the associations between trait positive and negative affectivity measures and anxiety measures in clinical populations that suffer from at least one anxiety disorder. We identified 13 and 14 eligible studies, documenting 19 and 21 mainly unpublished effect sizes from 1489 individuals that suffer from an anxiety disorder. We estimated an overall correlational effect size (r) using multilevel meta-analytic models accounting for within- and between-study variance components. The results of the omnibus models showed a small to moderate negative association between positive affectivity and anxiety symptoms (r = -0.19, 95 % CI [-0.30, -0.09]) and a strong positive association between negative affectivity and anxiety symptoms respectively (r = 0.53, 95 % CI [0.44, 0.61]). These associations are different from each other (r = .35, p < .001). The results are consistent with theoretical claims that anxiety disorders are highly associated with negative affectivity but to a lesser extent with positive affectivity. More research and systematic documentation are necessary to determine moderators of these overall associations.

Acting impulsively when "upset": Examining associations among negative urgency, undifferentiated negative affect, and impulsivity using momentary and experimental methods

INTRODUCTION

Negative urgency is a personality pathway toward impulsive behavior that increases risk for transdiagnostic psychopathology. Limited research supports the core tenant of urgency theory, that is, that individuals with high trait negative urgency act more impulsive when experiencing increased negative emotion. We hypothesized that it may not be negative emotion intensity, but difficulty in differentiating among negative emotions, that prompts impulsive behavior among individuals with elevated negative urgency.

METHODS

We tested this hypothesis in 200 undergraduates using both ecological momentary assessment (measured momentary undifferentiated negative affect and impulsivity) and experimental methods (manipulated emotion differentiation and measured behavioral impulsivity).

RESULTS

Momentary undifferentiated negative affect predicted impulsivity in the specific domains of work/school and exercise, but interactions between momentary undifferentiated negative affect and negative urgency were not supported. Manipulated emotion differentiation did not impact behavioral impulsivity regardless of negative urgency scores.

CONCLUSION

Inconsistent with theory, the impulsive behavior of individuals with negative urgency may not be conditional on elevated or undifferentiated negative affect.

The sensitivity of the ICD-11 trait model to the symptoms of clinical disorders in young adults

Hierarchical psychopathology contributes to providing a broader picture of the links between emerging personality structures such as the DSM-5/ICD-11 trait models and clinical disorders. The present study aimed to predict the specific and general clinical symptoms by the less studied constructs of the ICD-11 model (negative affectivity, detachment, dissociality, disinhibition, and anankastia). Data from 642 young adults from Iran (63% female, 18-34 years) were collected by three mental symptom scales and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), which was recently used to harmonize the constructs of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 trait models. Multiple linear regressions showed that the ICD-11 model significantly predicted both the specific clinical symptoms (ranging from R2 = 0.15 to 0.40) and the general factor of clinical symptoms extracted by exploratory factor analysis (R2 = 0.40, all p < 0.001). Negative affectivity was the strongest construct correlated with both the specific symptoms (ranging from β = 0.36 to 0.69) and the general symptom factor (β = 0.59, all p < 0.001). Because the ICD-11 trait model is a practical structure related to the clinical psychopathology in young adults, screening for maladaptive traits can help clinicians in case formulation for diagnosis and treatment.

Relationships between obsessive-compulsive disorder and the big five personality traits: A meta-analysis

Although several studies have examined the relationships between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the Big Five personality traits (i.e., neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness), the results have been inconsistent. Therefore, this meta-analysis comprehensively examined the relationships between OCD and these traits. In total, 23 studies (29 independent datasets) with 30,138 participants were analyzed. The pooled effect size was 0.34 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28, 0.40) for neuroticism, -0.14 (95% CI: -0.18, -0.10) for extraversion, -0.04 (95% CI: -0.09, 0.02) for openness, -0.10 (95% CI: -0.16, -0.04) for agreeableness, and -0.03 (95% CI: -0.11, 0.05) for conscientiousness, indicating that OCD was associated with higher scores for neuroticism and lower scores for extraversion and agreeableness. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses indicated that heterogeneity was mainly due to differences in sample types and OCD measurement instruments. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results of the meta-analysis were robust. Overall, neuroticism was a maladaptive trait, whereas extraversion and agreeableness were adaptive traits for OCD. Although the results could be sample- and instrument-specific, our findings may inform preventions and interventions for OCD symptoms.

Replicability of the five-factor structure of DSM-5 and ICD-11 trait systems and their associations with binge eating and bipolar spectrum psychopathology

Since the research on contemporary personality models-and psychopathology-mainly originate from the Western world, we aimed to test the factorial structure of two trait systems assessed with the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) in a non-Western sample and to compare the extracted models' relative associations with binge eating disorder (BED) and bipolar spectrum disorder (BSD) symptoms. A community sample (N = 516; 72% female) was administered the PID-5, which can operationalize both the DSM-5 and ICD-11 systems. The factor structures of both systems were tested using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). The congruence coefficients of all factor loadings with international studies were calculated. The Binge Eating Scale (BES), Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale (BSDS), and Hypomania Checklist-32-Revised (HCL-32) were used to measure the criterion variables. Linear regression models were used for comparing the DSM-5 and ICD-11 systems in predicting the BED and BSD. The findings supported five-factor solutions for both trait systems. Both systems significantly predicted dimensional measures of both BED and BSD (all p < 0.001). The present findings support an acceptable five-factor structure for both personality systems in the non-Western sample. Different algorithms of maladaptive domains on both systems are related to binge eating and bipolar spectrum psychopathology.

Meta-Analytic Review of Temperamental Correlates of the Five-Factor Model and Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology Domains

Background

There is little and heterogeneous knowledge on the links between the temperamental predispositions of psychopathology and the contemporary dimensional models of psychopathology, such as the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) classification system, which can be aligned with the five-factor model (FFM) of personality. This meta-analysis seeks to expand the temperamental theoretical basis of the HiTOP model by incorporating associations of temperament traits of two temperamental theories measured, respectively, by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) with (a) the FFM's personality domains and (b) HiTOP's five psychopathological spectra.

Methods

A systematic search was done on Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane Database, and Google Scholar for all articles published in English from January 1990 to August 2020. Because of heterogeneity in the results of almost 70% of studies, pooled estimates of correlation coefficients were calculated using the random-effects method. Risk of bias (low-quality studies) and publication bias are reported.

Results

The pooled correlations obtained from the analysis of 35 studies showed that the temperamental profile associated with each FFM domain and HiTOP spectra is distinct. Specifically, TCI-harm avoidance (HA) and all TEMPS temperaments were more strongly related to neuroticism/internalizing, extraversion/low detachment, and conscientiousness/disinhibition. In contrast, TCI-novelty seeking was more strongly related to both disinhibited/antagonistic externalizing and thought disorder.

Conclusions

A large body of research supports maladaptive variants of all FFM domains and some psychopathological spectra of HiTOP related to the abnormal-range temperaments.

Associations between Sleep Disturbances, Personality Traits and Self-Regulation in a Sample of Healthy Adults

Background: Scientific evidence and everyday experience show that sleep disturbances and self-regulation as a proxy of stress reactivity are linked. Particular personality traits such as neuroticism, internalizing and externalizing problems are also associated with sleep disturbances. Here, we combined self-regulation and personality traits and associated these variables with subjective sleep disturbances. Methods: A total of 846 adults (mean age: 33.7 years; 78.7% females) completed questionnaires covering sleep disturbances, self-regulation and personality traits. Results: Higher scores for sleep disturbances were associated with higher scores for externalization, internalization, and instability and with lower scores for stability (all trait variables) and with poorer self-regulation (state variable). The regression model showed that higher scores for externalization and internalization (traits), and lower scores for self-regulation (state) predicted higher scores for sleep disturbance. Next, self-regulation had both a direct effect on sleep disturbance, and an indirect effect via personality traits. Conclusions: Sleep disturbances were related to both state (i.e., self-regulation) and trait (e.g., internalization and instability) dimensions. The current data analysis leapfrogs the state-trait dichotomy discussion and reconciles the state-and-trait approach in the prediction of poor sleep, though self-regulation appeared to have both direct and indirect effects on sleep disturbances.

Structure of psychopathology in adolescents and its association with high-risk personality traits

The present study examined high-risk personality traits and associations with psychopathology across multiple levels of a hierarchical-dimensional model of psychopathology in a large adolescent, general population sample. Confirmatory factor analyses were run using data from two randomized controlled trials of Australian adolescents (N = 8,654, mean age = 13.01 years, 52% female). A higher-order model - comprised of general psychopathology, fear, distress, alcohol use/harms, and conduct/inattention dimensions - was selected based on model fit, reliability, and replicability. Indirect-effects models were estimated to examine the unique associations between high-risk personality traits (anxiety sensitivity, negative thinking, impulsivity, and sensation seeking) and general and specific dimensions and symptoms of psychopathology. All personality traits were positively associated with general psychopathology. After accounting for general psychopathology, anxiety sensitivity was positively associated with fear; negative thinking was positively associated with distress; impulsivity was positively associated with conduct/inattention; and sensation seeking was positively associated with alcohol use/harms and conduct/inattention, and negatively associated with fear. Several significant associations between personality traits and individual symptoms remained after accounting for general and specific psychopathology. These findings contribute to our understanding of the underlying structure of psychopathology among adolescents and have implications for the development of personality-based prevention and early intervention programs.

Personality and insomnia: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

The inherent nature of personality serves as a predisposing, and possible maintaining, factor of insomnia. However, methodological differences limit the ability to draw causal conclusions regarding the specific traits involved in the aetiology of the disorder. This systematic review of the relationship between insomnia and personality provides a narrative synthesis of the literature to date. Here, we identified N = 76 studies meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The outcomes reliably evidenced the experience of insomnia to be associated with personality traits that are typically considered to be negative or maladaptive in nature. More specifically, insomnia was related to neuroticism, introversion, perfectionistic doubts and concerns, elevated personal standards, negative affect, social inhibition and avoidance, hysteria, hypochondriasis, psychasthenia, impulsive behaviour, anger, hostility, and psychopathic tendencies, schizotypal and borderline traits, reduced conscientiousness and self-directedness, and negatively perceived perception of the self. Several studies examined the role that personality plays in predicting the treatment efficacy and adherence of CBTi. Moving forward, longitudinal research, methodological consistency, the mediating role of treatment outcomes and adherence, and clinical and population representative samples should be prioritised. Methodological strengths and limitations of the literature are discussed alongside the next steps that should be taken to advance our understanding of the literature.

Construct and criterion validity of the HiTOP spectra to predict dimensional and categorical somatization in a large non-western sample

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is a phenotypic data-driven framework for the classification of psychopathology. We tested the construct and criterion validity of the HiTOP spectra measured by the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and hierarchical regressions both to predict somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRD) and a somatization factor. The case-control study used hierarchical logistic regressions to distinguish 257 cases with SSRD from 1007 healthy controls by both the maladaptive and the temperament factors. The extracted factors were also used in hierarchical linear regressions to predict the dimensional somatization factor. The seven temperament factors explained more variance above and beyond the five maladaptive factors when predicting SSRD (pseudo R2 = 0.169 to 0.266 versus 0.125 to 0.196; change in pseudo R2 = 0.055 to 0.087 versus 0.011 to 0.017). The temperament factors also explained more variance above and beyond the maladaptive factors when predicting the somatization factor (R2 = 0.392 versus 0.269; change in R2 = 0.146 versus 0.023). Although the HiTOP spectra measured by PID-5 are significant structures related to the categorical and dimensional measurements of somatoform, our findings highlight potential problems with both the construct and criterion validity of the HiTOP spectra.

The Placement of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Within a Five-Factor Model of Maladaptive Personality

Dimensional models of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, as seen in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), are instrumental in explaining the heterogeneity observed in this condition and for informing cutting-edge assessments. Prior structural work in this area finds that OC symptoms cross-load under both Negative Affectivity and Psychoticism traits within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) Alternative Model of Personality Disorder (AMPD). However, tests of OC symptoms in conjunction with assessments of the full AMPD structure and its 25 lower-level facets representing narrower symptom content are lacking. We applied joint exploratory factor analysis to an AMPD measure (Personality Inventory for DSM-5; PID-5) and OC symptom data from two separate samples (total N = 1,506) to locate OC symptoms within AMPD space. OC symptoms cross-loaded on Negative Affectivity, Psychoticism, and on the low end of Disinhibition. We also report exploratory analyses of OC symptom subscales with PID-5 variables. Results are discussed in the context OC symptoms' location in PID-5 space, implications for assessment, and placement of OCD within the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology.

The joint hierarchical structure of psychopathology and dysfunctional personality domain indicators among community-dwelling adults

To examine the hierarchical structure of psychopathology and dysfunctional personality domains, 2416 Italian community-dwelling adult volunteers were administered a set of psychometrically sound psychopathology measures and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 Brief Form+ (PID-5-BF+). Parallel analysis, minimum average partial, and very simple structure results suggested that 1-6 principal components (PCs) should be retained. Goldberg's bass-ackwards model of the joint psychopathology measure and PID-5-BF+ ipsatized domain scale correlation matrix evidenced a hierarchical structure that was consistent with the working model proposed by the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) consortium. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis around latent variables of the psychopathology indicators and PID-5-BF+ domain scales recovered four latent dimensions, which were akin to the corresponding bass-ackwards components and nicely reproduced the HiTOP Internalizing, Externalizing, Thought Disorder, and Eating Pathology dimensions.

Psychopathic personality traits stress immunity and social potency moderate the relationship between emotional competence and cognitive functions in depression

Background

Psychopathic personality traits (PPT) and depression have both been shown to worsen emotional and cognitive functions. Moreover, PPT and depression share similar underlying neuronal circuits tapping into the emotional and cognitive domains. However, little is known about the influence of PPT on emotion and cognition in individuals with depression.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the correlative relationships and moderating role of PPT in the association between emotional competence and cognitive functions in individuals with depression.

Methods

Data from 373 individuals diagnosed with depression (158 males, 215 females) were examined within a cohort study. Subjects filled out validated questionnaires surveying PPT and emotional competences. Furthermore, a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was administered.

Results

Correlation analyses revealed a significant positive association between emotional competence and cognitive functions. Further, negative associations between emotional competence and the PPT "Blame Externalisation" and "Careless Nonplanfulness," as well as positive associations with psychopathic "Social Potency" and "Stress Immunity" were found. Moderation analyses indicated a significant positive influence of psychopathic "Stress Immunity" and "Social Influence" on the relationship between emotional competence and cognitive functions.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the importance of integrating PPT in depression research. Considering PPT in depression treatment could also facilitate the therapeutic process by identifying individual traits as resilience-strengthening or potentially harmful factors for depressive symptomatology. This study represents a stepping stone for further research regarding the role of personality traits in psychiatric disorders and their treatment.

Mapping established psychopathology scales onto the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP)

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) organizes phenotypes of mental disorder based on empirical covariation, offering a comprehensive organizational framework from narrow symptoms to broader patterns of psychopathology. We argue that established self-report measures of psychopathology from the pre-HiTOP era should be systematically integrated into HiTOP to foster cumulative research and further the understanding of psychopathology structure. Hence, in this study, we mapped 92 established psychopathology (sub)scales onto the current HiTOP working model using data from an extensive battery of self-report assessments that was completed by community participants and outpatients (N = 909). Content validity ratings of the item pool were used to select indicators for a bifactor-(S-1) model of the p factor and five HiTOP spectra (i.e., internalizing, thought disorder, detachment, disinhibited externalizing, and antagonistic externalizing). The content-based HiTOP scales were validated against personality disorder diagnoses as assessed by standardized interviews. We then located established scales within the taxonomy by estimating the extent to which scales reflected higher-level HiTOP dimensions. The analyses shed light on the location of established psychopathology scales in HiTOP, identifying pure markers and blends of HiTOP spectra, as well as pure markers of the p factor (i.e., scales assessing mentalizing impairment and suspiciousness/epistemic mistrust).

A Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) Primer for Mental Health Researchers

Mental health research is at an important crossroads as the field seeks more reliable and valid phenotypes to study. Dimensional approaches to quantifying mental illness operate outside the confines of traditional categorical diagnoses, and they are gaining traction as a way to advance research on the causes and consequences of mental illness. The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is a leading dimensional research paradigm that synthesizes decades of data on the major dimensions of psychological disorders. In this article, we demonstrate how to use the HiTOP model to formulate and test research questions through a series of tutorials. To boost accessibility, data and annotated code for each tutorial are included at OSF (https://osf.io/8myzw). After presenting the tutorials, we outline how investigators can use these ideas and tools to generate new insights in their own substantive research programs.

Validity and utility of Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP): III. Emotional dysfunction superspectrum

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is a quantitative nosological system that addresses shortcomings of traditional mental disorder diagnoses, including arbitrary boundaries between psychopathology and normality, frequent disorder co-occurrence, substantial heterogeneity within disorders, and diagnostic unreliability over time and across clinicians. This paper reviews evidence on the validity and utility of the internalizing and somatoform spectra of HiTOP, which together provide support for an emotional dysfunction superspectrum. These spectra are composed of homogeneous symptom and maladaptive trait dimensions currently subsumed within multiple diagnostic classes, including depressive, anxiety, trauma-related, eating, bipolar, and somatic symptom disorders, as well as sexual dysfunction and aspects of personality disorders. Dimensions falling within the emotional dysfunction superspectrum are broadly linked to individual differences in negative affect/neuroticism. Extensive evidence establishes that dimensions falling within the superspectrum share genetic diatheses, environmental risk factors, cognitive and affective difficulties, neural substrates and biomarkers, childhood temperamental antecedents, and treatment response. The structure of these validators mirrors the quantitative structure of the superspectrum, with some correlates more specific to internalizing or somatoform conditions, and others common to both, thereby underlining the hierarchical structure of the domain. Compared to traditional diagnoses, the internalizing and somatoform spectra demonstrated substantially improved utility: greater reliability, larger explanatory and predictive power, and greater clinical applicability. Validated measures are currently available to implement the HiTOP system in practice, which can make diagnostic classification more useful, both in research and in the clinic.

Post-traumatic disorder symptom severity in the perspective of hierarchical taxonomy of psychopathology spectra and dysfunctional personality domains among trauma-exposed community-dwelling women

To assess the relationships between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) components, Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) spectra, and dysfunctional personality domains, the Post-Traumatic Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5); the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Brief Form+ (PID-5BF+); and self-report measures of HiTOP Internalizing, Thought Disorders, and Externalizing spectra were administered to 387 trauma-exposed Italian community-dwelling women. Before structural equation modeling (SEM), measurement components of models were assessed using confirmatory factor analyses. Both taxometric and Gaussian mixture analysis results were consistent with a dimensional representation of the PCL-5 scores. SEM results showed that PTSD components, at least as they were operationalized by the PCL-5 scores, were positively, significantly, and substantially associated with HiTOP Internalizing and Thought Disorder Spectra latent dimensions, as well as with Negative Affectivity, Detachment, and Psychoticism personality domains.

Early and late signals of unexpected reward contribute to low extraversion and high disinhibition, respectively

Like socio-economic status and cognitive abilities, personality traits predict important life outcomes. Traits that reflect unusually low or high approach motivations, such as low extraversion and high disinhibition, are linked to various forms of mental disorder. Similarly, the dopamine system is theoretically linked to approach motivation traits and to various forms of mental disorder. Identifying neural contributions to extremes of such traits should map to neural sources of psychopathology, with dopamine a prime candidate. Notably, dopamine cells fire in response to unexpected reward, which suggests that the size of non-invasive, scalp-recorded potentials evoked by unexpected reward could reflect sensitivity in approach motivation traits. Here, we evaluated the validity of evoked electroencephalography (EEG) responses to unexpected reward in a monetary gain/loss task to assess approach motivation traits in 137 participants, oversampled for externalizing psychopathology symptoms. We demonstrated that over the 0–400 ms period in which feedback on the outcome was presented, responses evoked by unexpected reward contributed to all theoretically relevant approach motivation trait domains (disinhibition, extraversion and the behavioural activation system); and did so only at times when dopamine responses normally peak and reportedly code salience (70–100 ms) and valuation (200–300 ms). In particular, we linked “dopaminergic” salience and valuation to the psychopathology-related constructs of low extraversion (social anxiety) and high disinhibition (impulsivity) respectively, making the evoked potential components biomarker candidates for indexing aberrant processing of unexpected reward.

Momentary dynamics of emotion-based impulsivity: Exploring associations with dispositional measures of externalizing and internalizing psychopathology

Emotion-based impulsivity has emerged as an important transdiagnostic risk factor for both internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. However, it is unclear how this dynamic process unfolds within individuals. We measured urgency within-persons as the momentary association between impulsivity and contemporaneous negative and positive affect in 4 ecological momentary assessment samples (N = 233[16,202 observations]; N = 302[11,360]; N = 311[17,517]; N = 291[20,297]) that span clinical, community, and student populations. Based on reflexive responding to emotion (RRE) and urgency frameworks, we hypothesized a) that significant individual differences in the dynamic association between affect and impulsivity would emerge, and b) that individual differences in positive and negative urgency pathways would be associated with externalizing and internalizing psychopathology. Within-person associations between negative affect and impulsivity consistently emerged; however, the association between positive affect and impulsivity was inconsistent across samples. Although average effects were small, significant individual differences existed in both urgency pathways. Consistent with prior studies, within-person urgency pathways were unassociated with global or dispositional measures of impulsivity. Contrary to expectation, within-person urgency was also unassociated with between-person measures of either internalizing or externalizing psychopathology. Yet, robust associations were seen between the same measures and average levels of momentary impulsivity and negative affect. We discuss results in terms of their relevance to both urgency and RRE frameworks and propose future directions to help disentangle emotion-based impulsivity and psychopathology in the moment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Latent classes of maladaptive personality traits exhibit differences in social processing

OBJECTIVE

Social processing (SP) deficits manifest across numerous mental disorders. However, this research has been plagued by heterogeneity and a piecemeal approach whereby skills are examined in isolation rather than as part of an integrated cognitive system. Here, we combined two dimensional frameworks of psychopathology to address these limitations.

METHOD

We utilized the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) to distill trait-related heterogeneity within a community sample (n = 200), and the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) 'Systems for Social Processes' to comprehensively assess SP. We first applied latent class analyses (LCA) to derive AMPD-based groups and subsequently contrasted the performance of these groups on a SP test battery that we developed to align with the RDoC SP constructs.

RESULTS

Our LCA yielded four distinct subgroups. The recognizable trait profiles and psychopathological symptoms of these classes suggested they were clinically meaningful. The subgroups differed in their SP profiles: one displayed deficits regarding the self, a second displayed deficits in understanding others, a third displayed more severe deficits including affiliation problems, whilst the fourth showed normal performance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the link between clusters of maladaptive personality traits and distinctive profiles of SP deficits, which may inform research on disorders involving SP dysfunctions.

Self-defining memories-Narrative features in relation to adaptive and maladaptive personality traits (replication and extension of Blagov & Singer, 2004)

OBJECTIVE

Self-defining memories (SDMs) are units of life-story analysis, whose features resemble elements from narrative identity's factorial structure. To bridge narrative-identity and personality-trait domains, we conducted a replication and extension of prior research.

METHOD

We linked four SDM features - affect, specificity, meaning making, and content - to the Big Three trait domains of personality and psychopathology in a small sample that was well-powered for multilevel modeling (133 participants, 1330 SDMs).

RESULTS

Affect SDM affect correlated with indices of Positive Emotionality and Negative Emotionality, and narrative themes of contamination were associated with Negative Emotionality. Specificity SDM specificity vs. overgenerality related to Constraint and Negative Emotionality indices, lending support to the executive dysfunction and emotional disorder theories of overgeneral autobiographical memory. (Tests of the avoidance thesis of overgeneral memory were inconclusive.) Meaning making Explicit meaning making in SDMs reflected adaptive personality. It moderated (or buffered) the link between SDMs' affect and chronic emotional distress. Content The links between SDM content and traits suggest that SDMs reflect personal goals, whose fulfillment or frustration relate to psychological health.

CONCLUSIONS

This research serves replication purposes as well as the purpose of connecting two major domains of personality: narrative identity and adaptive and maladaptive traits.

Future directions in personality pathology development research from a trainee perspective: Suggestions for theory, methodology, and practice

Research on personality disorder (PD) development has received increased attention in the last two decades, spurring reconceptualization in theoretical models of etiology, use of advanced methods, and development of effective treatments. The current manuscript briefly reviews the state of the field and proposes avenues of new research on the development of personality pathology in theoretical, methodological, and clinical veins. We identify the need to adopt a unifying and comprehensive theory to describe PD development across the lifespan, novel statistical methods to complement traditional methods relied on thus far, and the adoption of developmentally sensitive interventions that are disseminated to professionals and trainees alike. These directions for future research aim to augment prevention efforts to reduce the burden of PDs earlier in life.