Relationships of sociotropy and autonomy with dimensions of the Temperament and Character Inventory in healthy subjects

Abstract

The relationships of sociotropy and autonomy, the 2 personality traits postulated as vulnerability factors for depression, with 7 dimensions of the Temperament and Character Inventory, a comprehensive measure of personality, were studied in 305 healthy subjects. Sociotropy and autonomy were assessed by the sociotropy and autonomy subscales, respectively, of the original 60-item Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale. In multiple regression analysis, sociotropy was significantly correlated with higher harm avoidance, reward dependence (RD), and self-transcendence (ST), and lower self-directedness; and the correlation was strongest with higher RD (β = 0.27) and second strongest with lower self-directedness (β = -0.25). Meanwhile, autonomy was significantly correlated with higher persistence and ST, and lower RD; and the correlations were especially strong with higher ST (β = 0.37) and lower RD (β = -0.28). These results support Beck's concepts of these personality traits, that is, the orientation toward interpersonal relationships of sociotropy, and that toward mastery and independence of autonomy.