Personality subtypes in adults with social anxiety disorder - novelty seeking makes the difference

BMC Psychiatry

Research

Johannes Schumacher¹  Laura-Effi Seib-Pfeifer²  Man-Long Chung³  Franziska Geiser³  Christina Elling³  Rupert Conrad⁴  Andreas J. Forstner⁵ 

[1] Centre for Human Genetics, University of Marburg, Baldingerstraße, 35033, Marburg, Germany;Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Kaiser-Karl-Ring 9, 53111, Bonn, Germany;Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany;Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany;Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany;Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany;Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428, Jülich, Germany;Centre for Human Genetics, University of Marburg, Baldingerstraße, 35033, Marburg, Germany;

关键词: Social Anxiety Disorder;    Temperament;    Personality;    Novelty Seeking;    Harm Avoidance;    Cluster Analysis;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12888-022-04484-z

 received in 2022-09-22, accepted in 2022-12-19,  发布年份 2022

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundUp to now several subtypes of social anxiety disorder (SAD) have been proposed.MethodsIn the present study, we used a cluster analytic approach to identify qualitatively different subgroups of SAD based on temperament characteristics, that is, harm avoidance (HA) and novelty seeking (NS) dimensions of Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory.ResultsBased on a large, diverse clinical sample (n = 575), we found evidence for two distinct subgroups of SAD: a larger (59%) prototypic, inhibited cluster characterized by high HA and low NS, and a smaller atypic, and comparatively more impulsive cluster characterized by medium to high HA and increased NS. The subgroups differed regarding a variety of sociodemographic and clinical variables. While the prototypic SAD subtype suffered from more severe SAD and depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and reduced social functioning, the atypic NS subtype showcased higher reproductive behaviour, self-directedness and -transcendence, comparatively. Additional hierarchical logistic regression highlights the contribution of age and education.ConclusionsOur results valuably extend previous evidence for the existence of at least two distinct subtypes of SAD. A better knowledge of the characteristic differences in prototypic behaviour, personality, coping strategies and comorbidities between the identified (and further) subtypes can contribute to the development of effective prevention interventions and promotes the conceptualization of tailored treatments.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2022