Resilient, Undercontrolled, and Overcontrolled Personality Prototypes Among Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

J Pers Assess, 2007 · DOI: 10.1080/00223890701629813 · Published: December 1, 2007

Simple Explanation

This study explores different personality types among people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and how these types relate to adjustment and coping. It identifies three main personality prototypes: resilient, undercontrolled, and overcontrolled. The resilient type is characterized by low neuroticism and high scores on other personality traits. The undercontrolled type shows low conscientiousness. The overcontrolled type has high neuroticism and low extraversion. The research compares the distribution of these personality types in SCI patients with that of the general population. It examines how these types are linked to factors like depression, acceptance of disability, and problem-solving skills.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

199 persons with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The study found that individuals with SCI had fewer resilient personality types and more undercontrolled and overcontrolled types compared to the general population.
2
Resilient and undercontrolled individuals were better adjusted, showing lower levels of depression and higher acceptance of disability than overcontrolled individuals.
3
The resilient type was associated with more effective social problem-solving abilities, while the overcontrolled type showed the least effective problem-solving skills.

Research Summary

This study investigated personality prototypes among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Three prototypes—resilient, undercontrolled, and overcontrolled—were identified through cluster analysis. Compared to normative samples, the SCI sample had fewer resilient prototypes and more undercontrolled and overcontrolled prototypes. The undercontrolled type was the most common. Resilient and undercontrolled types showed better adjustment, lower depression, and higher acceptance of disability compared to overcontrolled types. The resilient type also predicted more effective social problem-solving abilities.

Practical Implications

Targeted Interventions

The study suggests that interventions in rehabilitation settings could be tailored based on personality prototypes. The overcontrolled group needs the most support, while the undercontrolled group may be the most cost-effective to target.

Understanding Adjustment

Understanding personality prototypes can help clinicians better assess and predict adjustment to SCI. It provides a framework for understanding how different personality traits interact to influence coping and well-being.

Self-Regulation Programs

The undercontrolled group, characterized by low conscientiousness, may benefit from programs designed to improve self-regulation and adherence to self-care routines, potentially preventing secondary complications.

Study Limitations

1
The study relied on self-report measures, which may be subject to bias.
2
The study lacked medical indicators and symptom perception data, which could moderate the conclusions.
3
Participants with follow-up assessments differed from those without, potentially introducing nonresponse bias.

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