Personality Traits and Behavioral Inhibition/Activation Systems in Patients with Schizophrenia, Bipolar and Normal Individuals

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Abstract

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate personality traits and Behavioral inhibition/activation systems in three groups of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and normal people.
Method: This study is a descriptive-comparative study. 90 people including 30 patients with schizophrenia (14 females and 16 males), 30 patients with bipolar disorder (14 females and 16 males) and 30 normal individuals (14 females, 16 males) who were selected through available sampling have participated in this research. Data gathering was done by using behavioral inhibition/activation systems scale (Carver and White) and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised.
Results: The present study demonstrated a significant difference in neuroticism (N), extraversion (E) and psychosis (P) between the considered samples (P=0/001). Also, there was a significant difference in behavioral inhibition system (BIS), behavioral activation system (BAS) and subscales of behavioral activation system (BAS), namely Drive (D), Fun seeking (F) and Reward Responsiveness (R).
Conclusion: Results suggest that the extreme levels, either high or low, of personality traits of neuroticism (N), extraversion (E) and psychosis (P), and sensitivity of BAS, BIS tend to relate with pathological symptoms. Particularly, BAS, BIS sensitivity combination relate with special kind of pathology.

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