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Abstract Introduction The mother and child attachment could have an important and long-lasting impact. An insecure attachment could lead to emotional development difficulties. It has been suggested that maternal care in infants is associated with personality. However, more studies in adults are needed. Objective To determine if attachment styles in subjects with affective or anxiety disorders are associated with the expression of personality traits, and if this effect can be modulated by the presence of the short allele of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. Method Our sample included 87 patients with mood or anxiety disorders. The NEO-PI-R questionnaire and the Adult Attachment questionnaire by Melero were used. Results Insecure attachment styles were associated with a higher expression of neuroticism, and a lower expression of extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness, especially in individuals with the most insecure attachment. An interaction was identified between the attachment style and the 5-HTTLPR genotype on the expression of agreeableness. Higher neuroticism, and lower extraversion and conscientiousness tended to be present in carriers of the S allele. Discussion and conclusion There was a significant association between the attachment styles and the expression of neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness-responsibility according to the Big Five Model. The short allele may be associated with the modulation of certain aspects of personality. Prevention strategies should be established to promote adequate attachments between infants and caregivers to avoid a possible risk factor for future maladaptive personality traits.
Resumen Introducción El apego entre la madre y el hijo puede tener un impacto importante. Un apego inseguro podría afectar el desarrollo emocional. Se ha sugerido que los cuidados de la madre en la infancia temprana se asocian a la personalidad. Sin embargo, se requieren más estudios en adultos. Objetivo Determinar si los estilos de apego en personas con trastornos del afecto o ansiedad se asocian a la expresión de rasgos de personalidad y si esta expresión es modulada por la presencia del alelo corto del polimorfismo 5-HTTLPR. Método Se incluyeron 87 pacientes. Se emplearon los cuestionarios NEO-PI-R y el de Apego en el Adulto de Melero. Resultados Los estilos de apego inseguro se asociaron con una expresión mayor de neuroticismo y menor de extroversión, conciencia y amabilidad, especialmente en los individuos con el estilo de apego más inseguro. Se identificó una interacción entre el estilo de apego y el genotipo del 5-HTTLPR en la expresión de amabilidad. En los portadores del alelo corto hubo una tendencia hacia mayores valores de neuroticismo y menores niveles de extroversión y conciencia. Discusión y conclusión Los estilos de apego se asocian con la expresión de neuroticismo, extroversión, amabilidad y conciencia/responsabilidad. El alelo corto del 5-HTTLPR podría asociarse con la modulación de algunos aspectos de la personalidad. Los resultados sugieren la importancia de promover un apego adecuado entre los niños y sus cuidadores primarios para evitar posibles riesgos que se asocien con rasgos desadaptativos de la personalidad.
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OBJECTIVE: Earthquakes may lead to a reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorders (RSSAD). On September 7, 19, and 23, 2017, Mexico was struck by many severe earthquakes. The aim of this study was to examine whether there was an increase in the number of consultations and RSSAD in a psychiatric emergency department in Mexico City after these earthquakes. METHODS: We studied retrospectively the diagnosis and triage assessment from a Mexican psychiatric emergency department database from September 1 to November 30, 2017, and analyzed RSSAD and the number of consultations after the earthquakes. RESULTS: A total of 1,811 psychiatric emergency consultations were registered from the period of study. A total of 141 consultations represented RSSAD. There was a significant increase of RSSAD after the September 23, 2017, earthquake. The triage assessment revealed that the urgency of the consultations was higher immediately after the earthquakes. CONCLUSION: Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, may trigger diverse RSSAD leading to increased emergency consultations, especially when those disasters are repetitive. Mental health professionals should be adequately trained and sensitized for possible acute disaster victims. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:686-690).