A study of the relationship between impulsiveness and obsessiveness in the general population. Inconsistency of the idea of the spectrum

Abstract

Introduction. Obsessiveness and impulsiveness as personality traits have been the object of few studies on the general population. The authors have aimed to study if such features are co-existing constructs, as some authors have proposed or opposite extremes of a continuum as other have stated.

Material and Methods. The answers to a questionnaire on obsessive traits of the personality (MIRAP) and another one in reference to impulsiveness as a trait (ECIRYC) of a random sample of 418 subjects obtained from the general population are analyzed. Multivariate statistical analysis techniques (Factorial Analysis, Correspondence Analysis, and Linear Regression Analysis) have been used to establish the type of relationship that the two personality traits studied have.

Results. The total scores of the MIRAP and the ECIRYC have a statistically significant correlation (r = 0.39; p< 0.01). The Correspondence Analysis of these total scores distributed in deciles and two Linear Regression Analysis also shows a statistically significant direct relationship between both traits. Obsessiveness and impulsiveness do not correlate with the principal factor of the opposite trait. All the factors of both traits are factorally grouped, except for the impulsive factor “haste” that is negatively grouped with the obsessive factor “order.”

Conclusions. Our results indicate that obsessiveness and impulsiveness, as personality traits, are convergent constructs and not opposite poles of a continuum. However, simultaneously, one of the five factors of each trait (“haste” and “order”) do behave as opposite extremes of a continuum, within the conceptual framework, more extensive, of the traits to which they belong.