Prediction of elders' general health based on positive and negative perfectionism and type-D personality

Multiple factors such as retirement, work disability, social rejection, physical illness and etc., have an impact on general health of the elders. One factor among others is the role of psychological variables. The study is intended to assess the effect of positive and negative perfectionism and Type-D personality [distressed] on general health of the elders. In this descriptive-correlation study, 80 people [47 male and 33 female] were selected from residents of Nursing Home in Hamadan and Malayer using non-probability [accessible] sampling method. They responded to the questionnaires of Type-D Personality, Goldberg and Hillier's General Health and Positive and Negative Perfectionism of Terry-Short et al. Positive perfectionism [r = 0.30] and type-D personality [r = 0.32] had significant correlation with general health. Multiple regression analysis revealed that positive perfectionism and type-D personality could explain at least 49% of the variance in general health. Concerning the variables of negative affectivity, social inhibition and social function, the females' mean was higher than that of males and considering the variables of positive perfectionism, and social functioning, the males' mean was higher than that of females. Positive perfectionism decreases mental disorder of the elders by creating optimistic attitudes and enhancing social functions. On the other hand, type-D personality, unlike positive perfectionism, makes elders susceptible to physical illness and mental disorder

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support in Iran

Social support is a complex and multifaceted construct. Thus, It is important that a given social support scale be theoretically grounded and its purview clearly defined. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability, validity and factor structure of the Iranian version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support [MSPSS]. The sample study included 176 consecutive myocardial infarction [MI] patients admitted to the coronary care unit [CCU] ward of nine hospitals in Isfahan, Iran, and 71 consecutive subjects from the general population. They all filled out the final Iranian version of the MSPSS and also 71 participants filled out the MSPSS twice over a 2 month period. Factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Pearson's correlation coefficient correlation were used to analyze data. Factor analysis of the scores of the patient and healthy samples yielded a three factor structure, including family, friends and significant others. The percentage of variance explained by the three factors in the patient sample and healthy sample were 77.87% and 78.55%, respectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficient has been found to be 0.84 for the scale and 0.90, 0.93 and 0.85, respectively, for the friends, significant others and family subscales from the patient sample, and 0.92 for the scale and 0.89, 0.92 and 0.87, respectively, for the friends, significant others and family subscales from the healthy sample. Test-retest stability over a 2 month period yielded 0.84 for the scale and 0.73, 0.78 and 0.84, respectively, for the friends, significant others and family subscales from the healthy sample. The findings proved the three factor structure of the Iranian version of the MSPSS and indicated that the Iranian version of the MSPSS is a reliable, valid and acceptable measure of perceived social support.

Evaluation of intima media thickness of carotid arteries in 40-60 years old persons with type D personality and its comparison with normal ones

In some studies, the involvement of dangerous psychological and behavioral factors in etiology and physiotherapy of vascular disturbances have been shown. In other studies, the relationship between the personality type and increase in cardiovascular disease has been demonstrated. The type D personality is defined as having two characteristics of negative affect and social inhibition. It is thought that individuals with type D personality are at increased risk of carotid artery intima-media thickening which predisposes them to vascular disease that is one of the most important factors for the stroke. In this study, we try to determine whether type D personality is a contributing factor to an increase in the intima-media of the carotid artery. This study was done in 2012 in the teaching hospital of Alzahra in Isfahan Iran. This is a case/control study which is done at Alzahra hospital in Isfahan in 2011-12. The statistical population in this study is composed of individuals who do not have any risk factors for stroke and are randomly selected among the hospital staff or the patient's family members who accompanied the patient at the hospital. They filled out a questioner that would assist in detecting type D personality. A carotid Doppler ultrasound that measures the intima media thickness in the selected individuals was performed. The information obtained from the study was evaluated by Statistical Product and Service Solutions [SPSS] software and the intima-media thicknesses were compared in two groups of patients. The average thickness of intima media in two groups, consist of placebo and patients, was 0.739 +/- 0.12 and 0.759 +/- 0.14 millimeter, respectively. There was no meaningful difference between the two groups based on t-test values [P = 0.19]. It is important to note that based on the results, 22.9% of placebos and 48.6% of individuals with type D personality presented with abnormal thickness. The difference between the two groups were meaningful based on Chi-Squared test [P = 0.001]. We conclude that type D personality increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases specially the stroke and myocardial infarction due to the higher prevalence of hormonal imbalances leading to arterial vasospasm and atherosclerotic disease. As a result, it is necessary to evaluate and treat these patients due to increased risk of atherosclerotic diseases, stoke, and myocardial infarction