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International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research logoLink to International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research
. 2008 Sep 12;17(4):210–219. doi: 10.1002/mpr.264

Personality dimensions measured using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and NEO‐FFI on a Polish sample

Elżbieta Mikołajczyk 1, Joanna Ziȩtek 1, Agnieszka Samochowiec 1,2, Jerzy Samochowiec 1,✉
PMCID: PMC6878235  PMID: 18792079

Abstract

The results of two self‐administered, paper‐and‐pencil tests based on biosocial theory of personality have been compared simultanously: the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO‐FFI). The stability of the personality dimensions was assessed across age, sex and education level samples in a group of 406 Polish adults with major mental diseases excluded by use of PRIME‐MD questionnaire. Significant effects of age, sex, and education have been found while comparing personality dimensions in both temperamental (novelty seeking, NS; harm avoidance, HA; reward dependence, RD; persistence, P) and character scales (cooperativeness, C; self‐transcendence, ST) in TCI. Among subscales of temperament only NS1, RD4 were stable according to concerning factors. All converted to their age and sex norms NEO‐FFI dimensions were stable according to sex. Extraversion scale was changeable depending on age (p = 0.04). Neuroticism dimension was a little higher in lower educated group (p = 0.035).

To sum up, it was concluded that sex‐ and age‐specific norms for the dimensions of the Polish version of TCI are necessary considering the established significant differences. Particular personality genetic studies should account for age, sex and also educational differences in their methods of associative studies.

Conclusions: In the exploration of personality dimensions on healthy volunteers the Polish version of NEO‐FFI corresponds better than TCI to theory of stability and genetic determinants of human personality. As the study included persons with excluded major mental diseases, the sample is appropriate to provide a control group in the reaserch of psychiatric patients using both TCI and NEO‐FFI.

Significant Outcomes: TCI scores for persons with excluded mental disease are highly changeable depending on age, sex and education. Adjusted to sex and age scores NEO‐FFI corresponded better than TCI to stability and genetic determinants of human personality. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Keywords: personality assessment, TCI, NEO‐FFI, adults, dimension, age, sex, education, health

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