Temperament and Character in the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS): Comparison to the General Population, and Genetic Structure Analysis

Abstract

BackgroundThe Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS) is an on-going, large population-based longitudinal twin study. We aimed (1) to investigate the reliability of two different versions (125-items and 238-items) of Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) used in the CATSS and the validity of extracting the short version from the long version, (2) to compare these personality dimensions between twins and adolescents from the general population, and (3) to investigate the genetic structure of Cloninger's model.MethodReliability and correlation analyses were conducted for both TCI versions, 2,714 CATSS-twins were compared to 631 adolescents from the general population, and the genetic structure was investigated through univariate genetic analyses, using a model-fitting approach with structural equation-modeling techniques based on same-sex twin pairs from the CATSS (423 monozygotic and 408 dizygotic pairs).ResultsThe TCI scores from the short and long versions showed comparable reliability coefficients and were strongly correlated. Twins scored about half a standard deviation higher in the character scales. Three of the four temperament dimensions (Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance, and Persistence) had strong genetic and non-shared environmental effects, while Reward Dependence and the three character dimensions had moderate genetic effects, and both shared and non-shared environmental effects.ConclusionsTwins showed higher scores in character dimensions compared to adolescents from the general population. At least among adolescents there is a shared environmental influence for all of the character dimensions, but only for one of the temperament dimensions (i.e., Reward Dependence). This specific finding regarding the existence of shared environmental factors behind the character dimensions in adolescence, together with earlier findings showing a small shared environmental effects on character among young adults and no shared environmental effects on character among adults, suggest that there is a shift in type of environmental influence from adolescence to adulthood regarding character.

Associations of working models of the self and other with Cloninger's personality dimensions

“…In relation to these results, large-scale twin studies [12,13] have demonstrated that the temperament dimensions are influenced by environmental factors as well as genetic factors. This phenomenon may be attributable to influence of character on temperament development, i.e., self-concepts may modify the significance and meaning of perceived stimuli, thereby change stimulusresponse characteristics [5].…”

“…Last but not least, the association of the self-model with low HA may reflect the goal of the attachment system incorporating the self-model, i.e., to obtain felt security [1,2]. It is noteworthy that the twin studies mentioned earlier [12,13] have shown that genetic factors also influence the character dimensions including SD and C which are strongly correlated with attachment indices as presented here. This finding suggests that attachment styles are formed through interactions of genetic factors and attachment experiences.…”

The affective profiles in the USA: happiness, depression, life satisfaction, and happiness-increasing strategies

“…Indeed, among Swedes (Nima, Archer & Garcia, 2012; Nima, Archer & Garcia, 2013), these three strategies (social affiliation, instrumental goal pursuit, and active leisure) have been found to be positively related to subjective well-being. Agency and cooperation are also related to mental health, dysfunction and suffering (Cloninger & Zohar, 2011; Garcia, Anckarsäter & Lundström, 2013; Garcia et al, 2013b; Garcia, Nima & Archer, in press) and are suggested to help the individual become happier and healthier (Cloninger, 2013; see also Johansson et al, 2013, who showed that increases in agency and cooperation are associated to improvement in depression). Moreover, compared to the self-destructives, the self-fulfilling individuals reported more frequently seeking support from faith, performing religious activities, praying, and drinking less alcohol (i.e., the religion happiness-increasing strategy).…”

Meta-Analysis of Anxiety Disorders and Temperament

“…According to twin studies, TCI temperament dimensions have shown moderate (RD and persistence) to strong heritability (HA and NS) [15], with RD also sharing some environmental effects [16]. In neurobiological studies trait anxiety, which is characterized by hypervigilance and hyperarousal, can be differentiated from fear, but these two are also overlapping phenomena [17].…”