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Background: The concept of psychological well-being has been neglected for a long time in scientific literature. Over the last decades, however, many psychometric instruments have been developed to measure it. The aim of the present study was to analyze the concept of psychological well-being and its relationship to distress and personality traits. It is clinically and empirically important to establish where the measures of well-being are located in relation to symptomatology indices and personality traits. Methods: A sample of 450 subjects in the general population completed three self-rating scales for the assessment of symptomatology (Kellner’s Symptom Questionnaire), psychological well-being (Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scales, PWB), and personality traits (Cloninger’s Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire). The assessment was repeated after 1 month. Pearson’s coefficient was used to analyze PWB test-retest reliability and correlations between well-being, distress and personality indicators. Exploratory factor analysis was performed for both assessments. Results: Test-retest Pearson’s coefficients were satisfactory for all six PWB scales. Exploratory factor analyses showed a 4- or 5-factor structure, where well-being, distress and personality remained separated. PWB scales were negatively and significantly correlated with all symptom scales, but only with one personality dimension, TPQ Harm Avoidance. Mean-level differences by gender showed that in general women significantly presented with lower levels of well-being (except in Positive Relations) and higher levels of distress and personality disturbances. Conclusions: The results suggest that the relationship of well-being to distress and personality is complex. Psychological well-being could not be equated with the absence of symptomatology or with personality traits. PWB scales measure an attitude toward optimal functioning that is crucial for a comprehensive consideration of individuals in clinical settings.

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the frequency and characteristics of psychological distress, even after adequate treatment, in the heterogeneous population of an endocrine outpatient clinic. Methods: 146 endocrine patients (31 males/115 females; age 39.4 ± 12.5 years), who were cured or in remission, were studied in a university endocrine outpatient clinic. Semistructured clinical interviews to assess psychiatric (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV) and psychological (Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research, DCPR) diagnoses were employed and were supplemented by self-rated instruments (the Psychosocial Index and the Medical Outcome Study short form General Health Survey) which could provide the patients’ perception of their own quality of life. Results: There were 118 patients (81%) who presented with at least 1 psychiatric (DSM-IV) or psychological (DCPR) diagnosis. The most frequent diagnostic findings were generalized anxiety disorder (29%), major depression (26%), irritable mood (46%), demoralization (34%) and persistent somatization (21%). By self-rated instruments, patients with at least 1 DSM-IV or DCPR diagnosis reported significantly more stressful life circumstances, psychological distress and an impaired quality of life compared to those who had none. Conclusions: A high prevalence of psychological distress may be encountered in the long-term follow-up of endocrine patients. A biopsychosocial consideration of the person and his/her quality of life appears to be mandatory for improving therapeutic effectiveness in endocrine disorders.

At follow-up after appropriate treatment, we documented a high prevalence of psychopathology in patients with pituitary disease, which was however, similar to that found in nonpituitary endocrine patients. This is consistent with an increasing body of literature that reports difficulties in obtaining full recovery in patients treated for endocrine disorders.

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