Low self-directedness (TCI), mood, schizotypy and hypnotic susceptibility

Relationships between personality and mood variables in a non-clinical sample were investigated using 80 medical students divided into two groups according to their Self-directedness (SD) scores from Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Those with low SD proved to have significantly raised scores on hypnotisability, absorption, Self-transcendence and significantly lower scores on Co-operativeness. Both the schizotypal variables of Cognitive Activation and Withdrawal were raised. Further, the combination of low SD, low Co-operativeness and high Self-transcendence points also towards a schizotypal personality style. These results corroborate a previously established link between schizotypy and hypnotic susceptibility. Low scorers on SD also had significantly higher mood distress, anxiety and perceived stress. Low SD, with its history of identifying personality disorders, in this data set appeared to be identifying those medical students who were distressed in all measured aspects of mood as well as having indications of higher levels of absorption, hypnotic susceptibility and aspects of schizotypy. The generality of distress shown by these students raises important questions about their eventual competency in communication skills and, indeed, decision making when they graduate as doctors involved in the treatment of patients.