Previous research into the relationship of conscientiousness and self-estimated cognitive ability has yielded discrepant results. An analysis of past research seems to suggest a moderating effect...Show morePrevious research into the relationship of conscientiousness and self-estimated cognitive ability has yielded discrepant results. An analysis of past research seems to suggest a moderating effect of age. Indeed, age seems to be positively correlated with conscientiousness and negatively with self-estimated cognitive ability, implying a negative effect of age on the relationship of conscientiousness and self-estimated cognitive ability. The current study examines this moderating effect of age on the relationship between conscientiousness and self-estimated cognitive ability. We hypothesized to find a correlation between conscientiousness and self-estimated cognitive ability only in the young participant group (<=25). Conscientiousness (BFI-2), self-estimated cognitive ability and several demographic variables including age were established of 135 participants. The average age was 39.8 (SD = 16.7) and 63 percent of participants were female. We found that, in general, participant’s self-estimated their own abilities higher than that of their peers. A positive correlation between age and conscientiousness was present (r= 0.240, p= 0.005). No correlation between conscientiousness and self-estimated cognitive ability was found in the older or younger participant group, and we were unable to demonstrate a moderating effect of age. Our findings suggest no correlation between conscientiousness and self-estimated cognitive ability and no moderating effect of age. Future research should consider the possibility that there exists in fact no effect and further investigate the validity of our findings. More knowledge of the interaction between conscientiousness and self-estimated cognitive ability might help better understand the influence of conscientiousness in mental health and whether self-estimations of cognitive ability can play a role in understanding and predicting cognitive decline, especially as people grow older.Show less
Verbal fluency refers to the ability to generate words or speech in an efficient manner. Some literature states having a verbal fluency deficit is a core symptom of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), whereas...Show moreVerbal fluency refers to the ability to generate words or speech in an efficient manner. Some literature states having a verbal fluency deficit is a core symptom of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), whereas other literature report no verbal fluency deficits in People with MS (PwMS). Therefore, the aim of the current paper is to investigate the frequency and underlying factors of verbal fluency deficits in individuals with MS. Data was retrospectively collected from patient charts. This data contained neuropsychological assessments that were performed to measure verbal fluency, depression, fatigue, and information processing speed. These were measured by the Controlled Oral Word Association test (COWAT), the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D), Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). A total of 224 PwMS were included in the study. PwMS had a mean age of 52.2, 164 were female (73%), 138 had Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) (61.6%), 66 had Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) (29.5%) and 20 had Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) (8.9%). Someone is considered to have a verbal fluency deficit when they have a COWAT score of 25 or lower (5th percentile). Results show that 34% (76/224) of PwMS show verbal fluency deficits. Furthermore, verbal fluency is affected more severely in people with SPMS than in people with RRMS (t(186)= 2.094, p = .019). Information processing speed significantly influences verbal fluency (F(1, 188) = 59,734, p = <.001). No effect of fatigue or depression was found on verbal fluency deficits. The findings from this study contribute to a better understanding of the frequency of verbal fluency deficits in MS and their relationship with depression, fatigue and information processing speed. The finding of a relatively high occurrence of verbal fluency deficits in PwMS should encourage neuropsychologists to be mindful of this deficit to increase cognitive care for PwMS.Show less
The definition of recovery in psychotic disorders is shifting from just the alleviation of symptoms to a more multidimensional approach where in addition to clinical recovery, personal, societal,...Show moreThe definition of recovery in psychotic disorders is shifting from just the alleviation of symptoms to a more multidimensional approach where in addition to clinical recovery, personal, societal, and functional recovery also play an important role. Even though much research has been done to investigate the different dimensions and possible confounders, mediators, and moderators, the concept is still very new and so more research is needed before treatment can be innovated. This paper investigated the question: is there an association between functional and personal recovery? Personal recovery is the subjective road to recovery, which includes concept like connectedness, hope and optimism, identity, meaning in life, and empowerment. Functional recovery revolves around the compensation for the loss of skills due to illness. In addition, we investigated the question: do substance abuse and substance dependency have an influence on the association between functional and personal recovery. People with a psychotic disorder have a higher chance of becoming substance abusers or substance dependent and thus this is an important factor to investigate that could influence recovery. We investigated these two questions by interviewing patients with a psychotic disorder. We used three validated questionnaires to measure the dependent, independent, and mediating variable, which are personal recovery, functional recovery, and substance abuse/dependency respectively. We found an association between functional and personal recovery (p < .001). A mediating effect of substance abuse and substance dependency on the association between functional and personal recovery was not found. Our results are in line with previous research that has also found associations between functional and personal recovery, adding to the evidence that the dimensions in the multidimensional approach are related concepts. A possible reason for the absence of a mediating effect of substance abuse and substance dependency on the association between functional and personal recovery could be that drug use alone might not influence recovery, but when including more possible mediators, for example homelessness, substance use might significantly influence recovery. Future research should investigate a possible causal relationship between functional and personal recovery, and the possible mediating effects of drug use in combination with other mediators.Show less
