Five Factor Model of Personality and Structure of Psychopathological Symptoms in Adolescents

This study aims to explore the factorial structure of the most prevalent psychopathological symptoms in adolescence, and to explore the associations between the resulting psychopathological factors with both the Five-Factor Model of personality and the General Factor of Personality (GFP). A sample of 835 adolescents (M = 14.35, SD = 1.58; 49% girls) completed personality and psychopathology self-reports. The confirmatory factor analyses showed that a bifactor model of psychopathology, which included a general psychopathological factor (p factor) and specific factors (i.e., internalizing, externalizing, and hyperactivity and attention problems), better fitted the data than other competing models. The main associations found in the regression analyses were: neuroticism and introversion with the internalizing factor; low agreeableness with the externalizing factor; low conscientiousness with the hyperactivity and attention problems score; high neuroticism, low conscientiousness and low agreeableness with the p factor. Last, the GFP and p factor were substantially related, with β coefficients between 0.42 and 0.49 (p < .001). This study suggests that a bifactor model adequately depicts the psychopathology structure in adolescence. This structure was supported by differential associations of personality traits with each resulting factor

Personality and nonjudging make you happier: Contribution of the Five-Factor Model, mindfulness facets and a mindfulness intervention to subjective well-being

Mindful individuals are able to acknowledge mind wandering and live in the present moment in a nonjudgmental way. Previous studies have found that both mind wandering and mindfulness are associated with subjective well-being. However, the main predictor of happiness is personality; more specifically, happier people are emotionally stable and extraverted. The present study aimed to explore the contribution of the five factors of personality, dispositional mindfulness facets and a mindfulness intervention to happiness. A sample of 372 university students was assessed with the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, and another sample of 217 community adults answered the Big Five Personality Trait Short Questionnaire. Both samples, 589 participants in all, completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and the Subjective Happiness Scale. Furthermore, 55 participants from the general population sample took a 6-week training course in meditation and developing mindfulness. The regression analyses showed that emotional stability and extraversion traits were the strongest predictors of subjective well-being. Nonetheless, the nonjudging facet, which is nonevaluative/acceptance awareness of thoughts and feelings, still remained a significant predictor of happiness when personality was accounted for. Finally, mindfulness training did not increase subjective well-being. Being nonjudgmental of one’s inner thoughts, feelings and sensations contributes to happiness even when personality is taken into account. Accordingly, it seems reasonable that mindfulness training that intends to improve subjective well-being should focus on noticing thoughts without judging the

Development of a 50-Item abridged form of the Junior Spanish version of the NEO questionnaire (JS NEO-A50)

The aim of this psychometric study was to construct an abridged 50-item form, 10 for each of the five factors of personality, of the Junior Spanish version of the NEO-PI-R (JS NEO-A50). Two separate studies were conducted. In Study 1, 400 high school students completed two personality scales to examine the factor structure (exploratory factor analysis), convergent validity, and reliability of the JS NEO-A50. In Study 2, an independent sample of 385 adolescents completed the JS NEO-A50 and several outcome measures to replicate the factor structure (exploratory structural equation model) and examine criterion validity, respectively. The five-factor structure found in Study 1 was satisfactorily replicated in the second, independent sample. Sources of reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and validity (convergent) were adequate. Also, the outcome measures assessed in Study 2 were related to personality traits in the expected direction. Life satisfaction was significantly predicted by emotional stability; symptoms of behavioral problems were predicted by low scores in both agreeableness and conscientiousness while internalizing emotional symptoms were mainly predicted by emotional instability; finally, academic performance was mainly predicted by conscientiousness. We conclude that the JS NEO-A50 is a sound inventory to measure the five broad personality domains in Spanish-speaking adolescents

Self-reported DSM-5 Anxiety Severity Measures: Evidence of Validity and Reliability in Spanish youths

Background: Very few studies about the psychometric properties of the Anxiety Severity Measures (ASM) proposed in the DSM-5 exist, and none in Spanish-speaking populations. Thus, the aim of the present study was to provide validity and reliability evidence for the Spanish versions of the Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety, Separation Anxiety, Panic, Generalized Anxiety and Specific Phobia Severity measures. Method: Participants included 567 Spaniards (mean age=21.26, SD=3.61; 68.3% women). We performed Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses to test the structure of the scales, Differential Item Functioning (DIF) by sex, Cronbach's alpha and ordinal omega to test reliability, and the Pearson correlations between the ASM and different outcomes to provide evidence for convergent/discriminant (internalizing/externalizing symptoms) and criterion validity (satisfaction, quality of life and personality). Results: Structural analyses supported a one-factor solution for all of the ASM except for the Specific Phobia scale, which was also the only scale that exhibited DIF. Reliability indices ranked from .82 to .93. All six scales showed stronger associations with internalizing than externalizing measures and were also negatively related to criterion measures. Conclusions: The Spanish version of ASM is suitable for assessing anxiety-related symptoms, except the Specific Phobia Scale, which requires further examination.Antecedentes: existen pocos estudios sobre las propiedades psicométricas de las Escalas de Gravedad de la Ansiedad (EGA) del DSM-5, y ninguno en población española. Así, el objetivo del estudio fue aportar evidencias de validez y fiabilidad de la versión española de las escalas para evaluar síntomas de Agorafobia, Ansiedad Social, Ansiedad por Separación, Pánico, Ansiedad Generalizada y Fobia Específi ca. Método: participaron 567 españoles (edad media= 21,26, DT= 3,61; 68,3% mujeres). Se realizaron análisis factoriales exploratorios y confi rmatorios para testar la estructura, Funcionamiento Diferencial de Ítems (FDI) por sexo, alfa de Cronbach y Omega Ordinal para evaluar la fiabilidad y correlaciones de Pearson entre las EGA y otras variables para analizar la validez convergente/discriminante (síntomas internalizados/externalizados) y de criterio (satisfacción, calidad de vida y personalidad). Resultados: los análisis respaldan una estructura unidimensional para las EGA excepto para Fobia Específica, que además fue la única escala que mostró un FDI. Los índices de fi abilidad oscilaron entre 0,82 y 0,93. Las escalas se asociaron más con las conductas internalizadas que externalizadas, y se asociaron negativamente con las variables criterio. Conclusiones: la versión española de las EGA son adecuadas para evaluar síntomas relacionados con la ansiedad, excepto la escala de Fobia Específi ca que requiere más investigación

Development and validation of the alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire Short Form (EQ-SF)

Las expectativas sobre los efectos del alcohol son una variable proximal al consumo de alcohol. Uno de los instrumentos más usados y recomendados para evaluar este constructo es el Expectancy Questionnaire (EQ; Leigh y Stacy, 1993). El objetivo es desarrollar una versión corta del EQ (EQ-SF) útil para administraciones en las que el tiempo de evaluación es reducido. Dos muestras, una de adolescentes (N = 514, 57,20% mujeres) y una de adultos (N = 548, 61,50% mujeres), completaron el EQ y diversas medidas sobre consumo de alcohol. Se utilizaron diversas estrategias para seleccionar los 24 ítems. Se exploró la estructura del EQ-SF mediante análisis factoriales confirmatorios y la invarianza de medida entre sexos y grupos de edad realizando análisis multigrupo. Se calculó la fiabilidad de las escalas mediante el alfa de Cronbach y el coeficiente omega, y la validez concurrente a través de análisis de regresión. La invariancia entre grupos fue aceptable. Los coeficientes alfa y omega iban de ,77 a ,93. Las expectativas positivas predijeron la cantidad de alcohol consumida y los problemas derivados del consumo, mientras que las negativas predijeron los problemas derivados. Sexo y edad moderaron estas asociaciones. Los hombres con elevadas expectativas positivas bebían más que las mujeres, mientras que los adultos con elevadas expectativas negativas mostraron mayores problemas derivados del consumo que los adolescentes. Las diferentes fuentes de evidencia sobre la validez y fiabilidad del EQ-SF sugieren que es un instrumento adecuado para evaluar las expectativas sobre los efectos del alcohol en población española.Alcohol expectancies are proximal variables to alcohol use and misuse. In recent decades, different measures have been developed to assess this construct. One of the most frequently used and recommended instruments is the Expectancy Questionnaire (EQ; Leigh y Stacy, 1993). Our aim is to develop a short version of the EQ (EQ-SF) for suitable use in time-limited administrations. Two samples, adolescents (N = 514, 57.20% females) and adults (N = 548, 61.50% females), completed the EQ together with alcohol-use measures. Different item selection strategies were applied to select the 24 items. The EQ-SF structure was explored using confirmatory factor analysis, and measurement invariance was tested running a multi-group analysis comparing groups by sex and age. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha and omega coefficients. Concurrent validity was investigated with regression analyses. The EQ-SF showed acceptable between-groups measurement invariance. Alphas and omegas ranged from .77 to .93. Positive expectancies predicted both alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Negative expectancies predicted alcohol-related problems. Sex and age moderated these associations. Males with high positive alcohol expectancies showed higher alcohol consumption than females, while adults with high negative alcohol expectancies showed greater alcohol-related problems than adolescents. Different evidence on the validity and reliability of the EQ-SF suggest that it is a suitable instrument to assess alcohol expectancies in the Spanish population

Mediational role of gaming motives in the associations of the Five Factor Model of personality with weekly and disordered gaming in adolescents

Five Factor Model (FFM) personality dimensions are relevant distal factors for explaining videogaming behaviors that may act through more proximal variables such as motives. However, this mediational role of gaming motives in the relationships between FFM domains and gaming behaviors has not been examined yet. The present study explored direct and indirect effects of the FFM personality traits on weekly and disordered gaming via gaming motives among 364 adolescent players. Structural equation modeling revealed that disordered gaming was directly predicted by conscientiousness and directly and indirectly, via coping motives, by neuroticism. Low agreeableness was associated with disordered gaming through social interaction. On the other hand, low agreeableness presented significant total effects on weekly gaming. The findings suggest risky personality pathways observed in drug use and abuse are also found in regular and disordered gaming such as the negative affect regulation pathway and a possible deviance proneness pathway.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume

Big Five Personality Trait Short Questionnaire: Preliminary Validation with Spanish Adults

There are two major advantages of the Big Five Personality Trait Short Questionnaire (BFPTSQ) over other non-commercial short Five-Factor Model personality measures: widen conceptual breadth, and its use in both adolescents and adults. The aim of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of this questionnaire in an adult Spanish sample. Factor, convergent (using the NEO-PI-R), and criterion (using scales that assess happiness and alcohol consumption) validities, internal consistency as well as test-retest reliabilities of the BFPTSQ were evaluated. The sample was composed of 262 participants; a subsample of 71 individuals also answered the NEO-PI-R, and another subsample of 42 respondents filled the BFPTSQ out again a month later. The results indicated that the expected factor structure was recovered using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). The ESEM showed satisfactory fit indices, with CFI and TLI around .90, as well as RMSEA and SRMR below .06. Moreover, coefficient alphas ranged from .75 to .85 and test-retest correlations ranged from .72 to .93 (p < .001). Regarding the associations of BFPTSQ with NEO-PI-R scales, the correlations with the broad-trait scales ranged from .57 to .80 (p < .001), and 27 out of 30 correlations with the facet scales were significant (p < .05 or lower). We also found that extraversion and emotional stability were associated with subjective well-being (p < .001), and extraversion and conscientiousness were related to alcohol consumption (p < .01). This study supports the construct validity of the Spanish version of the BFPTSQ in adults

Víctima y verdugo: características de personalidad y psicopatología de los receptores y perpetradores de bullying

Antecedentes/Objetivo: El acoso escolar o bullying es una conducta en la que se ven envueltos la mayoría de los jóvenes, como perpetrador, víctima o ambos, y que se ha asociado tanto a rasgos de personalidad como a la psicopatología. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar en una muestra de adolescentes la asociación entre las dimensiones de personal idad del modelo de cinco factores y los síntomas psicopatológicos más comunes, con los roles de víctimas y perpetradores de acoso escolar. Método: Participaron 231 adolescentes de 13-18 años (media de edad=15,25; DT=1,00; 52 % chicas). Completaron cuestionarios sobre características sociodemográficas, psicopatología, personalidad y una escala de conductas de acoso escolar. Se realizaron análisis de correlación y regresión para explorar las asociaciones de la personalidad y los síntomas internalizantes y externalizantes con las conductas de acoso y situaciones de víctima de acoso. Resultados: Las regresiones mostraron que realizar más conductas de acoso se asociaba con ser varón, poco amable, presentar psicopatología externalizante y, en menor medida, ser poco abierto a la experiencia y puntuar alto en neuroticismo. Por otra parte, mayores puntuaciones en la escala de victimización se asociaron con ser varón, poco amable y presentar elevadas puntuaciones en psicopatología externalizante e internalizante. Discusión: Estos hallazgos replican los resultados de estudios previos, mostrando la relativa similitud en los perfiles psicopatológicos de los adolescentes, víctimas y perpetradores, y van encaminados a esclarecer las relaciones entre los constructos estudiados, lo que puede contribuir a desarrollar programas de prevención y tratamiento del acoso escolar.Background/Objective: Bullying is a behavior in which many young people are involved, as a perpetrator, victim or both, and that has been associated with personality traits and psychopathology. The aim of this work was to examine the association between the Five-Factor Model personality dimensions, and the most common psychopathological symptoms, with the roles of victims and perpetrators of bullying in a sample of adolescents. Method: A total of 231 adolescents aged 13-18 years (mean age=15.25, SD=1.00, 52% girls) participated in this study. They completed questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, psychopathology, personality and a bullying scale. Correlations and regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations of personality traits and internalizing and externalizing symptoms with harassment behaviors and victim situations of bullying. Results: The results of the regressions showed that being male, antagonistic, presenting externalizing psychopathology and, to a lesser extent, being low in openness, and scoring high in neuroticism, were associated with performing more harassing behaviors. On the other hand, being male, antagonist, and presenting high scores in externalizing and internalizing psychopathology were associated with higher scores on the victimization scale. Discussion: These findings are in line with previous studies, showing the relative similarity in the psychopathological profiles of adolescent victims and perpetrators of bullying, and clarify the relationships between the studied constructs, which may contribute to develop prevention and treatment in bullying programs

Personality development and its associations with the bifactor model of psychopathology in adolescence

Although personality is closely related to the psychopathology structure, to our knowledge no study has explored the associations between the Five-Factor traits and a bifactor psychopathology model within a personality developmental framework. Consequently, this study aims to explore intercept and growth of personality traits across three assessments in a 2-year period and their associations with psychopathology in a nonclinical sample of 551 adolescents (51.5% girls; Mage = 13.77, SD = 1.29). Confirmatory Factor Analysis supported the bifactor structure of psychopathology. Latent growth curve modeling showed a slightly declining trend in neuroticism and conscientiousness. Individual differences in starting point and change in personality independently predicted later psychopathology. This highlights the importance of these parameters as risk or protective factors, when developing prevention programs.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume

A Longitudinal Examination of Different Etiological Pathways to Alcohol Use and Misuse

Background: Sher, Grekin, and Williams (2005) pointed out the existence of 4 main etiological, but not mutually exclusive, models that might explain the development of alcohol use and misuse. The aim of the present study was to explore 3 of these 4 pathways in which psychological (personality and drinking motives) and environmental (child maltreatment) variables may play a relevant role: positive affect regulation, negative affect regulation, and deviance proneness. Methods: Three hundred and fourteen young adults in the 18 to 29 year age range completed different personality, alcoholuse, andchildmaltreatment questionnaires at Time1.Five years later, they responded to drinkingmotives,antisocial behavior, alcohol use, andalcohol-related problemsquestionnaires. Results: The path analyses showed that emotional abuse predicted negative emotionality, which, in turn, prospectively predicted alcohol-related problems through coping-with-depression drinking motives (negative affect regulation). Emotional neglect predicted lesser positive emotionality, and physical abuse predicted unconscientious disinhibition personality characteristics. In turn, these 2 broad personality domains predicted drinking at weekends at Time 2 through enhancement drinking motives (positive affect regulation). Finally, physical neglect predicted disagreeable disinhibition, and both disinhibition domains directly predicted antisocial behavior 5 years later which, in turn, predicted drinking at weekends, drinking on weekdays, and alcohol-related problems (deviance proneness). Conclusions: The findings describe the specific role of distal (maltreatment and personality) and more proximal (antisocial behavior and drinking motives) variables in the different pathways involved in the development of alcohol use and misuse