Jorge Javier Osma López

Influence of vulnerability factors in panic disorder severity.

BACKGROUND We studied herein the predictive value for panic severity of three well-based vulnerability factors: personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion; NEO-PI-R), anxiety sensitivity (ASI), and perceived control (ACQ-R). METHOD The sample was composed of 52 participants diagnosed with panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. RESULTS Our results revealed that the anxiety facet is a better predictor of panic severity than neuroticism. Anxiety sensitivity increases the predictive value for panic severity and, finally, perception of control of emotions is the only perception control subscale that increases the predictive value for panic severity more than the anxiety facet and anxiety sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS This finding supports the assumption of the importance of taking into account the assessment of the lower order dimensions of the vulnerability factors in the field of psychopathology studies. Furthermore, the predictive value of perception of control of emotions indicates the importance of this specific vulnerability factor in the etiology of panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) and, thus, shows the necessity to include emotion regulation strategies in the psychological treatments.

La percepción de control de la ansiedad en el trastorno límite de la personalidad

Introduction: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, affection, anger control and impulsivity. Most studies on the emotional vulnerabilities in BPD have focused on the role of 346 ÀGORA DE SALUT. VOL. IV. ISSN: 2443-9827. DOI: HTTP://DX.DOI.ORG/10.6035/AGORASALUT.2017.4.36 PP. 345-354 impulsivity-aggression, affective instability, and more generally about emotional vulnerability. However, the role of anxiety has not been studied in deep. Literature shows that there are some studies on anxiety and on anxiety sensitivity in BPD, but very little is known about the influence of perceived anxiety control (PAC). There is empirical evidence about the influence of PAC in models of panic disorder (PD). Therefore, considering the importance that emotional regulation has in the etiology and maintenance of PD, and the high comorbidity that exists between BPD and anxiety disorders, the aim of this research is to compare the levels of PCA between BPD and PD. Method: To measure the level of PCA, we used the Anxiety Control Questionnaire (ACQ-R) in two different samples of patients, BPD (N = 53) and PD (N = 52). Results: The results indicate statistically significant differences in two subscales of the ACQ (Anxiety Control Questionnaire) (control of the threat and control of stress) and in total ACQ. Discussion: BPD patients present a worse regulation of anxiety than PD patients.

Variables de personalidad en estudiantes universitarios en función de la rama de conocimiento

Introduction: The European Space of Higher Education (eshe) provides a perfect setting to explore some of the university students’ personality variables. Personality characteristic can become great predictors of behaviours, that is the reason why those characteristic which can represent necessary aspects and skills for an effective and enterprising professional performance. Goal: Analysing particular psychological characteristic from a sample of the university community originally from uJi with the intention of checking university students’ personality profiles and verifying if there are significant differences from the different schools within the university. method: The evaluation for analysing the aforementioned variables was devised through the Revised neo Personality Inventory (R-neo-Pi). We were in contact with teachers from the different schools at uJi in order to ensure their cooperation. The R-neo-Pi was distributed to a sample of 107 university students. Results: The averages which have been obtained in personality factors and aspects, show that the personality profile from our sample is: High Neuroticism, Medium Extraversion and Openness and Low Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. We have obtained significant differences in favour of the School of Human and Social Sciences with regard to Openness and Agreeableness factors, Feelings and Values facets from Openness factor and Frankness and Modesty facets from Agreeableness factor. Conclusions: The students from the School of Human and Social Sciences got scores with significant differences in relation to the rest of the schools in some personality characteristic linked to social competence. It will be necessary establishing strategies in higher education in order to guarantee, to all students, the acquisition of social skills for their future labor entry.