Neuroticism (IN) and Social Inadequacy (SI) measured by NPV

Neuroticism (IN) and Social Inadequacy (SI) measured by NPV
LASA*123
LASA*323
Febr. 2009

Background
A neuroticism scale was derived from the NPV, the Nederlandse Persoonlijkheids Vragenlijst (DPQ, the Dutch Personality Questionnaire) (Luteijn et al., 1975). This subscale was shortened from 20 to 15 items. High Neuroticism-scorers experience a broad range of negative moods, including not only fear/anxiety and sadness/ depression but also such emotions as guilt, hostility, and self-dissatisfaction.
Control in the social domain was measured using the Social Inadequacy scale, which was shortened from 15 to 10 items in the present study. Persons scoring high on this Social Inadequacy scale are socially ill at ease and feel they cannot easily relate to other people.

Measurement instruments in LASA
The selection of questions on neuroticism and social inadequacy is based on pilot studies prior to the start of the first LASA cycle (Smits et al., 1995; Steunenberg et al., 2003). Out of a list of 35 items from the Dutch Personality Questionnaire, a subset of 25 items was selected.

The shortened versions contained the following items:

Neuroticism (15 items)

LASA nr.		DPQ nr.
1.	Bad temper	6
2.	Wander off	13
4.	Control	20
5.	Nervous	23
7.	Humour	29
9.	Feeling down	37
11.	Small matter	42
13.	Different	39
15.	Useless	72
17.	Tension	74
19.	Regret	106
20.	Restlessness	113
22.	Hate	118
24.	Difficult	124
25.	Inconvenience	125

Social Inadequacy (10 items)

LASA nr		DPQ nr.
3.	Strangers	31
6.	People	33
8.	Contact	36
10.	Receptions	43
12.	Shy	47
14.	New friends	50
16.	Background	73
18.	Influence	89
21.	Surround	48
23.	Shy 2	122

Data were collected in the written questionnaire. Question format and response categories were identical for both scales. Respondents were asked to indicate whether various statements applied to them (applicable, do not know, not applicable). There is no generally used cut-off score.

Data can be found in the following LASA-files:
B123, C123, D123, E123: scores on the items of the Neuroticism and Social Inadequacy scales.
B323, C323, D323, E323: total score on Neuroticism (*qneurot; range 0 – 30) and Social Inadequacy (*qsocina; range 0 – 20) scales.

Previous use in LASA
Within LASA personality characteristics have been examined: the association with depression (van den Heuvel et al 1996; Steunenberg et al 2006 and 2007), the relation between neuroticism, memory complaints and successive cognitive impairment (Comijs et al., 2002) and in relation to stability and change of emotional functioning (de Beurs et al. 2005).

References
Beurs E de, Comijs H, Twisk JW, Sonnenberg C, Beekman AT, Deeg D. Stability and change of emotional functioning in late life: modelling of vulnerability profiles.J Affect Disord. 2005;84(1):53-62.

Heuvel N van den, Smits CH, Deeg DJ, Beekman AT. Personality: a moderator of the relation between cognitive functioning and depression in adults aged 55-85? J Affect Disord. 1996, 16;41(3):229-40.

Luteijn, F., Starren, J., and van Dijk, H. (1975). Handleiding bij de NPV. Lisse: Swets & Zeitlinger.

Smits, C.H.M., Deeg D.J.H., & Bosscher R. (1995) Well-Being and control in Older Persons: The Prediction of Well-Being from Control Measures. The International Journal Of Aging and Human Development, 40, 237-250.

Steunenberg, B., Beekman A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., Kerkhof, A.J.F.M., (2003). Neuroticism in the elderly: the utility of the shortened DPQ-scales (in Dutch). Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie, Jun; 34 (3): 118- 124.

Steunenberg B, Beekman AT, Deeg DJ, Kerkhof AJ. Personality and the onset of depression in late life. J Affect Disord. 2006 Jun;92(2-3):243-51.

Steunenberg B, Beekman AT, Deeg DJ, Bremmer MA, Kerkhof AJ. Mastery and neuroticism predict recovery of depression in later life. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007;15(3):234-42.