The risk model of developing schizophrenia based on temperament and character

Abstract

© Medicinska naklada, Zagreb, Croatia. Introduction: Cloninger's psychological model of temperament and character confirms that the personality development is influenced by biological and psychological processes. The aim of this study is to examine personality dimensions and to determine which variable separates the healthy from the ill in the best way and could be a possible psychological marker for the presence of the illness. Methods: This research included 152 subjects, 76 patients with schizophrenia and 76 healthy controls, selected on the basis of medical interviews, random population sampling model from a wider social community using the independent T-Tests. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), which compared personality traits of the patients with schizophrenia and the healthy ontrol group, was used. Dependence of variables in these categories was assessed using the Chi-square and Fisher's tests, and the impact of variables on schizophrenia was tested using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression. The same method w as used for making the mathematical model. Results: Unlike the control group, patients with schizophrenia exhibited higher Harm avoidance (HA) and Self, transcendence (ST) scores as well as lower Self, directedness (SD) and Cooperativeness (C) scores. Multivariate binary logistic regression showed that Responsibility, Purposefulness, Resourcefulness, Cooperativeness and Compassion dimensions were significantly more present in the patients with schizophrenia. The new variable Model (area=0.896, p<0.0005) is composed of five TCI parameters. It proved to be a reliable marker for separation the healthy from the ill ones (area=0.896, p<0.0005). It has a good sensitivity (80%) and specificity (84%). Conclusions: Research has emphasized variables in the temperament and character inventory, which are the best markers for distinguishing between the healthy and the ill, thus making the mathematical model.