title: Temperament and character in relation to sick leave duration in mentally disordered outpatients-the downside of novelty seeking and cooperativeness.
abstract: In 1254 mentally disordered outpatients (941 women, 313 men) length of sick leave in the preceding 12 months was documented (median 2 weeks) and axis I and axis II disorder (SCID screening, clinical interview), psychological distress (SCL-90-R), work-related distress and personality (Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI)) were assessed. Compared to healthy controls (N=152) patients scored lower on self-directedness and higher on harm avoidance. Longer incapacitated patients were more often female. On the basis of absence duration (<2 weeks; ≥2<4 weeks; ≥4 weeks) male and female patients were analysed separately. Main findings showed that women longer on sick leave scored significantly higher on novelty seeking and cooperativeness. Further analysis yielded a significant contribution of personality dimensions, including novelty seeking and cooperativeness to work-related distress in women, explaining 21.5% of variance. An association between lower formal education, older age and duration of work incapacity could only be confirmed in male patients. Personality-based difficulties in adequate distancing from professional demands, as well as personality-based problems in interpersonal conflict management, are discussed as possible explanations for study findings.
authors: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany. Rupert.Conrad@ukb.uni-bonn.de
authors: Rupert
authors: R
authors: Conrad
authors: Franziska
authors: F
authors: Geiser
authors: Ingo
authors: I
authors: Wegener
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002605:Character; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D018582:Sick Leave; D013694:Temperament