Conceptualizing Personality as Individualized Allostasis: Exploring a Balanced Measure of Personality for Psychotherapy/Psychophysiology Integration

Abstract

Homeostatic balance provides a conceptual foundation for personality, and balance is a key concept in psychotherapy and psychophysiology. For example, both extreme fear and the absence of fear are considered pathological in both psychotherapy and psychophysiology, whereas a moderate, balanced fear response predicts healthier outcomes. In terms of measurement, however, personality is typically measured using a unipolar approach with more extreme scores (typically higher) indicative of better functioning. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether a moderate, balanced approach to measurement, or individualized allostasis, might better capture healthy functioning. To assess balanced functioning, the Assessment of Schema Adaptability Profile - Revised (ASAP-R) was used, and wellbeing was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale (DASS) and heart rate variability (HF HRV and RMSSD). The IPIP NEO 120 was used to assess the Big 5 model of personality. Moderate responding on the ASAP-R was related to less self-reported depressive symptoms on the DASS, and increased heart rate variability (HF HRV and RMSSD). Developing personality measures designed to assess moderate responding may be beneficial in the context of psychotherapy/psychophysiology integration.