Discriminant and convergent validity of TEMPS-A[P] correlation with MMPI and the emotional-affective state following a stressful situation.
BACKGROUND
The temperament evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego questionnaire (TEMPS), in its rater-wise and its self-evaluation forms, has been designed to evaluate temperamental characteristics in clinical and non-clinical populations. The validation process is currently in progress in various countries. In order to improve this validation process we have extended the area of correlations of its self-evaluation form (TEMPS-A[P]) to MMPI, and to a special RS that allows assessment of the emotional-affective state following a stressful situation.


METHODS
In 693 candidates applying to become cadets in the Italian Air Force we have assessed the correlation between the TEMPS-A[P] and the MMPI validity and clinical scales, and administered an emotional-affective state questionnaire (EAS-RS) after they had gone through the stressful challenge of taking an academy entrance examination.


RESULTS
As regards MMPI validity scales, TEMPS-A[P] depressive candidates tend to report their symptoms sincerely. Hyperthymic candidates tend to give false answers so that others will see them in a good light. Cyclothymic and irritable candidates tend to exaggerate symptoms. As regards the MMPI clinical scales, a low level of linkage between affective temperaments and abnormal personality traits was found. As regards EAS-RS: hyperthymic temperament on one hand, and cyclothymic and depressive temperaments on the other, are characterized by counter-polar emotional states following the test; these are desirable in the first case and undesirable in the other two.


CONCLUSIONS
The convergent and discriminant validity of TEMPS-A[P] was confirmed. From a personalistic point of view, temperaments seem to belong to the realm of normality rather than to that of pathology, in line with their putative adaptive role.
Maremmani
Icro
I
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy. maremman@med.unipi.it
Dell'Osso
Liliana
L
Rovai
Luca
L
Arduino
Gualberto
G
Montagnari
Antonio
A
Abbenante
Domenico
D
Popovic
Dina
D
Maremmani
Angelo G I
AG
Perugi
Giulio
G
Akiskal
Kareen
K
Akiskal
Hagop S
HS
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008950:MMPI / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D010551:Personality; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D013694:Temperament; D055815:Young Adult