Comparison of the intensity of temperament and character traits in adolescents diagnosed with inter - and...

To compare the intensity of temperament and character traits in a group of outpatients with different types of disorders, age and gender staying at daily unit.

Group consisted of 108 outpatients with externalizing (ED) or internalizing disorders (ID), aged 14-20, treated in the Department of Psychiatry. Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was used in the study.

Subjects diagnosed with ED demonstrated higher intensities of novelty seeking and its subscale, NS1, than those with ID. Women diagnosed with ED scored significantly higher on the following subscales: harm avoidance HA1, the reward dependence RD1, and the self-transcendence ST3 compared to men. Women with ID scored significantly higher than men on the following subscales: harm avoidance HA4, the reward dependence RD1, and the self-transcendence compared ST1 to men. Significant differences were also observed in the intensity of the cooperativeness subscales in the ED group depending on age. No significant differences were found in the ID group depending on age.

The study partially confirmed differences in the intensity of temperament and character traits depending on the type of disorder, gender and age. Patients with ED demonstrated more novelty seeking, which may increase a tendency to engage in risky and criminal behaviors. Women in both groups demonstrated a higher intensity of harm avoidance, reward dependence, and self-transcendence, which makes them more susceptible to anxiety and depressive disorders, and increases their ability to benefit from therapy and social support. Finally, younger participants with ED were more cooperative, which may have practical implications for treatment planning.