Measurement of temperament and character in mood disorders: a model of fundamental states as personality types.
BACKGROUND
Personality assessment may allow reliable measurement of risk of mood disorders.


METHODS
A group of adults (804) representative of the general population were assessed by questionnaire. Personality types were measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI).


RESULTS
Specific TCI configurations define personality types that can be described as hyperthymic, cyclothymic, irritable, and depressive. Each type had a unique profile of emotions, suicide attempts, and hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
TCI traits are associated with mood disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Different ways of measuring Kraepelinean subtypes may disagree. Whether differences in personality cause psychopathology, or vice versa, remains uncertain.


CONCLUSIONS
Personality profiles help in assessing suicidality and planning treatment.
Cloninger
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CR
Washington University Department of Psychiatry and the Center for Psychobiology of Personality, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. clon@wupsych.wustl.edu
Bayon
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C
Svrakic
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DM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010551:Personality / Q000145:classification*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology