title: Trichotillomania and personality traits from the five-factor model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether personality traits have predictive validity for trichotillomania (TTM) diagnosis, pulling severity and control, and hair pulling style.
  
  
  METHODS
  In study 1, logistic regression was used with TTM cases (n=54) and controls (n=25) to determine if NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) personality domains predicted TTM case vs. control classification. In study 2, hierarchical multiple regression was used with TTM cases (n=164) to determine whether NEO-FFI personality domains predicted hair pulling severity and control as well as focused and automatic pulling styles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TTM case vs. control status was predicted by NEO-FFI neuroticism. Every 1-point increase in neuroticism scores resulted in a 10% greater chance of TTM diagnosis. Higher neuroticism, higher openness, and lower agreeableness were associated with greater pulling severity. Higher neuroticism was also associated with less control over hair pulling. Higher neuroticism and lower openness were associated with greater focused pulling. None of the personality domains predicted automatic hair pulling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Personality traits, especially neuroticism, can predict TTM diagnosis, hair pulling severity and control, and the focused style of pulling. None of the personality traits predicted automatic pulling. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether personality variables predispose to TTM onset, impact disorder course, and/or result from hair pulling behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Keuthen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Esther S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Altenburger
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Blais
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Pauls
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Flessner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000075384:Neuroticism; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000592:standards; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult