Journal List > J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc > v.52(3) > 1017626

Song, Lee, Kim, and Lee: Social Support According to Temperament and Character in College Students

Abstract

Objectives

In previous studies, both temperament and character were known as an important factor to determine the extent of social support. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of temperament and character on social support.

Methods

A total 4329 participants completed questionnaires, which included Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). This study used Pearson's correlation to evaluate the correlation between TCI dimensions and LSNS. To find the most influential TCI dimension for LSNS, multiple regression analysis was performed for this study.

Results

TCI dimensions showed significant mean differences depending on gender (p<0.001). LSNS had highest positive correlation with reward dependence (r=0.357, p<0.001). Three dimensions of TCI (Persistence, Self-Directedness, Cooperativeness) had positive correlation with LSNS (p<0.001). Harm avoidance had negative correlation with LSNS (r=-0.237, p<0.001). According to the results of the multiple regression analysis, reward dependence is the most influential TCI dimension (β=0.261, t=15.963, p<0.001).

Conclusion

This result shows that social support is affected by properties of temperament and character. Therefore, to measure properties of temperament and character will help to assess social support.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Sociodemographic characteristics of the participants (n=4329)
jkna-52-157-i001

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation or number (%)

Table 2
Mean, standard deviation of TCI dimensions & total LSNS by gender (n=4329)
jkna-52-157-i002

TCI : Temperament and Character Inventory, NS : Novelty seeking, HA : Harm avoidance, RD : Reward dependence, P : Persistence, SD : Self-directedness, C : Cooperativeness, ST : Self-transcendence, LSNS : Lubben Social Network Scale

Table 3
Means of TCI subscales & correlation between TCI dimensions and total LSNS (n=4329)
jkna-52-157-i003

* : p<0.05, ** : p<0.01. TCI : Temperament and Character Inventory, NS : Novelty seeking, HA : Harm avoidance, RD : Reward dependence, P : Persistence, SD : Self-directedness, C : Cooperativeness, ST : Self-transcendence, LSNS : Lubben Social Network Scale

Table 4
Significant TCI dimensions associated with LSNS by multiple regression analysis (n=4329)
jkna-52-157-i004

TCI : Temperament and Character Inventory, LSNS : Lubben Social Network Scale, NS : Novelty seeking, HA : Harm avoidance, RD : Reward dependence, P : Persistence, SD : Self-directedness, ST : Self-transcendence, C : Cooperativeness

Notes

The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

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