Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
07:30
Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
Haitian adolescent personality clusters and their problem area correlates.
Robert C McMahon1, Vaughn E Bryant, Jessy G Dévieux
1Department of Educational and Psychological Studies, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
|February 25, 2012
Summary
This study identified three adolescent personality clusters in Haitian youth. A high psychopathology group faced significant health and relationship issues, while a confident/extroverted group showed resilience.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Health
- Cultural Psychiatry
Background:
- Understanding adolescent personality development is crucial for identifying at-risk groups.
- Haitian adolescents represent a unique cultural demographic with distinct psychosocial factors.
- Previous research has linked personality traits to various behavioral and health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify distinct personality clusters within a community sample of adolescents of Haitian descent.
- To examine the relationship between identified personality clusters and a range of psychosocial and health-related problems.
- To explore potential protective factors associated with specific personality profiles.
Main Methods:
- Community-based sample of adolescents of Haitian descent.
- Utilized personality assessment to identify distinct cluster subgroups.
- Correlated cluster membership with problems in substance abuse, mental/physical health, relationships, education, and sexual risk.
Main Results:
- Three personality clusters were identified: dependent/conforming (N=68), high pathology (N=30), and confident/extroverted/conforming (N=111).
- The high psychopathology subgroup exhibited significant physical health, mental health, relationship, educational, and HIV risk problems.
- The confident/extroverted/conforming subgroup reported few problems, suggesting a potentially protective style.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent personality structure varies within the Haitian community sample.
- Specific personality profiles are associated with differential risk for health and psychosocial problems.
- A confident, extroverted, and conforming style may confer resilience against adverse outcomes in adolescents.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Self-Report Tests of Personality
Self-report inventories are objective personality assessments that use multiple-choice items or numbered scales, typically ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). They are often called Likert scales after Rensis Likert. These inventories are widely used due to their ease of administration and cost-effectiveness. One of the most prominent examples is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), initially developed in the 1940s to assess abnormal personality traits.
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:23Factors Influencing Attraction VI: Personality Traits
Personality traits are fundamental in shaping social perception and influencing interpersonal relationships. Certain traits, such as agreeableness and extraversion, contribute positively to social interactions, whereas others, such as narcissism, have complex and often contradictory effects on how individuals are perceived over time.The Role of Agreeableness and ExtraversionAgreeableness and extraversion are associated with higher levels of interpersonal attractiveness and likability.
01:20Personality Disorders: Schizotypal and Histrionic
Schizotypal personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder are two distinct psychological conditions classified under personality disorders, each characterized by unique behavioral patterns and social difficulties. Both disorders significantly affect interpersonal relationships and emotional well-being, leading to social isolation and frustration.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Eccentric Behavior and Social Withdrawal
Schizotypal personality disorder is marked by odd or eccentric...
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Eccentric Behavior and Social Withdrawal
Schizotypal personality disorder is marked by odd or eccentric...
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
01:26Personality Disorders: Narcissistic and Avoidant
Narcissistic and avoidant personality traits represent two contrasting patterns of behavior that significantly influence social interactions and self-perception. While individuals with narcissistic disorder seek admiration and validation, individuals with avoidant personality disorder withdraw due to fear of judgment.
Characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic individuals exhibit an inflated sense of self-importance and an excessive need for admiration. They are often...
Characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic individuals exhibit an inflated sense of self-importance and an excessive need for admiration. They are often...