The Relationship Between Hyperthymic Temperament, Self-Directedness, and Self-Transcendence in Medical Students and Staff Members.

AIMS: To investigate the hypotheses that hyperthymic temperament may be positively associated with self-directedness and self-transcendence with adjustment for relevant factors.

METHODS: Using the database of our previous studies, the data from 111 healthy subjects with both Temperament and Character Inventory and Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire scores were secondarily used for the present study.

RESULTS: Hyperthymic temperament scores were significantly and positively associated with self-transcendence scores, but not with self-directedness scores, following adjustment for relevant factors. Despite the lack of association between self-transcendence and self-directedness, cooperativeness was significantly and positively associated with self-transcendence and self-directedness, but not with hyperthymic temperament. Moreover, despite the lack of association between hyperthymic temperament and self-directedness, harm avoidance was significantly and negatively associated with hyperthymic temperament and self-directedness, but not with self-transcendence.

CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that hyperthymic temperament may be positively associated with self-transcendence, but not with self-directedness. Moreover, hyperthymic temperament may be, at least partially, a selfish and reckless trait, self-transcendence may be altruistic and not reckless, and self-directedness may be altruistic but reckless. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.