title: The Relationship between Personality Traits, the 5HTT Polymorphisms, and the Occurrence of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Elite Athletes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between personality, the serotonin transporter (5HTT) polymorphisms and the occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in elite athletes. 133 healthy participants completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). The mood states were assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. The athlete's mental skills were assessed through the Sport Performance Psychological Inventory (IPPS-48). The occurrence of psychiatric and personality disorders was assessed using the Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders. A polymerase chain reaction was employed to identify genotypes at the 5HTTLPR polymorphism. The 5HTTLPR s/s genotype was associated with both neuroticism (p< 0.001) and tension/anxiety symptoms according to the POMS (p<0.02), cognitive anxiety and emotional arousal control according to the IPPS-48 (p<0.01). Significant correlations were proved between neuroticism and symptoms of anxiety and depression (p<0.05). Neuroticism mediates the association between the 5HTTLPR polymorphism and symptoms of cognitive anxiety and emotional arousal control (p<0.05). These results suggest a significant interaction between the 5HTTLPR polymorphism, neuroticism and sport related stress that predict adverse mental health outcomes in athletes. Identification of homogeneous groups of athletes having predispositions to anxiety and depressive symptoms may help to implement early prevention programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petito
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Altamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iuso
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Flavia A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Padalino
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Medical Genetics, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sessa
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Medical Genetics, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Andrea
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Medical Genetics, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Margaglione
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bellomo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000235:genetics*; D056352:Athletes; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins