Jens C. Thimm

Personality and early maladaptive schemas: A five-factor model perspective

According to Youngs schema model (Young, J. E., Klosko, J. S., & Weishaar, M. E. (2003). Schema therapy: A practitioners guide. New York: Guilford Press), innate personality tendencies are important for the understanding of early maladaptive schemas (EMS). The current study examined the relations between EMS and the dimensions of the five-factor model of personality (FFM). One hundred and forty-seven adult outpatients completed the NEO PI-R, the Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (SQ-SF), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Correlational analyses showed a substantial overlap between EMS and the FFM, neuroticism in particular. EMS predicted depressive symptoms above and beyond the FFM personality dimensions. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Mediation of early maladaptive schemas between perceptions of parental rearing style and personality disorder symptoms

In schema therapy (ST), early maladaptive schemas (EMS) are proposed to be the defining core of personality disorders. Adverse relational experiences in childhood are assumed to be the main cause for the development of EMS. The present study explored the links between perceived parental rearing behaviours, EMS, and personality disorder symptoms in a clinical sample (N=108). Results from mediation analyses suggest that EMS mediate the relationships between recalled parenting rearing behaviours and personality disorder symptoms. Findings give support to the theoretical model ST is based on.

Relationships between early maladaptive schemas and psychosocial developmental task resolution

In schema therapy, early maladaptive schemas (EMS) are hypothesized to be the result of adverse relational experiences in childhood that hinder the resolution of important psychological developmental tasks. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between EMS and the resolution of the developmental tasks that are described in Eriksons scheme of personality development. One hundred and forty-five adult psychiatric outpatients completed measures of EMS and resolution of psychosocial development tasks at two occasions. Results from correlational and regression analyses showed that EMS are generally associated with unsuccessful psychosocial task resolution. Furthermore, schema change predicted changes in the resolution of developmental tasks. These findings give support to Youngs theory of schema development.

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group therapy for depression in routine practice.

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that cognitive- behavioral group therapy (group CBT) is an effective treatment for depression. However, the effectiveness of this approach in routine care needs more research. The current study retrospectively examines the outcomes of patients who received group CBT for depression at a psychiatric outpatient clinic between 2003 and 2013.MethodsBased on patient records, 143 patients were identified as having received the treatment, and 88 patients were included in the outcome analyses. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) score was the main outcome measure.ResultsThe dropout rate was 17.5%. The average BDI-II score decreased from 28.5 to 18.5 from pre-treatment to post-treatment and remained stable at 3-months follow-up. The effect sizes at post-treatment and follow-up were large (d = .97 and d = 1.10, respectively). At post-treatment, 44% of the patients showed a significant improvement in depression, including 30% who recovered; at follow-up, the proportions increased to 57% and 40%, respectively. No predictors of dropout or treatment response were found.ConclusionsGroup CBT for depression can be delivered in routine care settings with good results. However, there are still many patients who drop out or do not benefit from treatment.

Hope and expectancies for future events in depression

The present study investigated prospective cognition with the Hope scale (Snyder et al., 1991) and the Unrealistic Optimism Scale (Weinstein, 1980) in clinically depressed (CD; n = 61), previously depressed (PD; n = 42), and never depressed controls (ND; n = 46). In line with previous research, significant negative correlations between hope and symptoms of depression were found. Previously depressed reported lower levels of hope than NDs, but were more hopeful than CDs. In addition, relationships between depressive symptoms, dysfunctional attitudes, and expectations for the future were examined. As hypothesized, the CDs estimated their probability of experiencing positive events in the future as lower and their probability of experiencing negative events as higher than the two other groups. The PDs differed not from the NDs in their probability estimates. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Hierarchical Structure and Cross-Cultural Measurement Invariance of the Norwegian Version of the Personality Inventory for DSM–5

ABSTRACT The Personality Inventory for DSM–5 (PID–5) was created to aid a trait-based diagnostic system for personality disorders (PDs) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed. [DSM–5]; American Psychiatric Association, 2013a). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the Norwegian version of the PID–5 by examining its score reliability, hierarchical structure, congruency with international findings, and cross-cultural measurement invariance with a matched U.S. sample. For this purpose, 503 university students (76% females) were administered the PID–5. The Norwegian PID–5 showed good score reliability and structural validity from 1 to 5 factors. The 5-factor structure was generally congruent with international findings, and support for measurement invariance across the Norwegian and a matched U.S. sample was found. Conclusively, the results indicate that scores on the Norwegian PID–5 have sound psychometric properties, which are substantially comparable with the original U.S. version, supporting its use in a Norwegian population.

The Personality Inventory for DSM-5 Short Form (PID-5-SF): psychometric properties and association with big five traits and pathological beliefs in a Norwegian population.

BackgroundWith the publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), an alternative model for personality disorders based on personality dysfunction and pathological personality traits was introduced. The Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) is a 220-item self-report inventory designed to assess the personality traits of this model. Recently, a short 100-item version of the PID-5 (PID-5-SF) has been developed. The aim of this study was to investigate the score reliability and structure of the Norwegian PID-5-SF. Further, criterion validity with the five factor model of personality (FFM) and pathological personality beliefs was examined.MethodsA derivation sample of university students (N = 503) completed the PID-5, the Big Five Inventory (BFI), and the Personality Beliefs Questionnaire – Short Form (PBQ-SF), whereas a replication sample of 127 students completed the PID-5-SF along with the aforementioned measures.ResultsThe short PID-5 showed overall good score reliability and structural validity. The associations with FFM traits and pathological personality beliefs were conceptually coherent and similar for the two forms of the PID-5.ConclusionsThe results suggest that the Norwegian PID-5 short form is a reliable and efficient measure of the trait criterion of the alternative model for personality disorders in DSM-5.

Childhood trauma in schizophrenia spectrum disorders as compared to substance abuse disorders

The prevalence of childhood trauma (CT) in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and substance abuse disorders (SUDs) is high. Direct comparisons of CT in these disorders are lacking, and it is not known whether there are differences in self-reported CT in SSDs as compared to SUDs. We aimed to compare the frequency, severity and types of CT in SDDs and SUDs. Patients with SSDs (n = 57) and SUDs (n = 57) were matched for age and gender. Overall levels of CT and CT subtypes were measured retrospectively by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short-Form (CTQ-SF), and grouped into none/low and moderate/severe levels of CT. Group differences in CTQ-SF sum score and subscale scores, as well as differences in the severity of overall CT and CT subtypes were all non-significant. In both groups, 64.9% reported ≥ 1 subtypes of CT above cut-off. Of those who reported CT above the cut-off, 13.5% in the psychosis group reported ≥ 4 subtypes, as compared to 2.7% in the substance abuse group. We did not find statistically significant differences between SSDs and SUDs in terms of exposure to CT frequency or severity, all effect sizes were small (r < 0.15).

S3. CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING IN SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM DISORDERS: EFFECT OF FREQUENCY AND TYPE OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

Abstract Background Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Exposure to childhood trauma (CT), defined as physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and physical and emotional neglect, has been associated with SSDs across study designs and populations. Possibly, there is a relationship between exposure to CT and cognitive impairment in individuals with SSDs. Research has shown that a history of CT may be related to decline in cognitive performance in the general population, as well as in SSDs, whereas other studies have failed to find evidence for an association between CT and cognitive impairments in patients with SSDs. Findings on the relation between CT and cognitive impairment in individuals with SSDs is not conclusive, and a minority of the studies to date have examined the effects of frequency and severity of CT subtypes in SSDs and the relation to cognitive abilities. We hypothesize that there will be a negative relationship between the frequency and severity of CT and cognitive functioning, possibly in a dose dependent matter. CT subtypes may influence this relationship. Methods The present study is part of the Bergen Psychosis project 2 (BP2), Haukeland University Hospital, Norway. Patients were recruited at the Medical University in Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; and Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway, and gave informed consent to participate. To be included, patients had to meet ICD-10 criteria for SSDs (F20-F29), be > 16 years of age, and score ≥ 4 on at least one of the psychosis items on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Childhood trauma (physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and physical, emotional neglect) was measured by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short-Form (CTQ-SF). Cognitive functioning was examined by means of a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. The following cognitive domains were assessed: verbal and visuospatial abilities, learning, memory, attention and working memory, executive functioning, and processing speed. The assessments were completed within three months of inclusion to the study. Results The relationship between the frequency and severity of CT and cognition will be examined, in addition to the possible influence of CT subtypes. Preliminary findings will be reported. Discussion The clinical implications of our findings will be discussed.

Coping, thought suppression, and perceived stress in currently depressed, previously depressed, and never depressed individuals

BACKGROUND Previous research shows that depression is associated with an increase in stressful life events and perceived stress as well as dysfunctional ways of coping with stress. However, knowledge about coping in previously depressed individuals is scant. METHODS This study compared perceived stress, coping, and thought suppression in a sample of 30 currently depressed, 63 previously depressed, and 42 never depressed individuals. RESULTS Analysis of variance revealed that previously depressed individuals showed less wishful thinking and thought suppression than the currently depressed individuals, but scored significantly higher on these strategies than the never depressed individuals. However, the group differences became nonsignificant when controlling for perceived stress and intrusions. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that both current depression and previous depression is related to avoidant coping (wishful thinking and thought suppression). However, these associations might be explained by the higher level of perceived stress among individuals with current or previous depression.