DS14 Type D Personality Test

About the DS14 Type D Personality Test

What is Type D Personality?

Individuals with Type D personality tend to experience negative emotions while simultaneously suppressing these emotions in social situations, often due to fear of rejection or disapproval.

• Negative Affectivity (NA): The tendency to experience negative emotions across time and situations, including feelings of dysphoria, anxiety, irritability, and worry.: Negative Affectivity (NA): The tendency to experience negative emotions across time and situations, including feelings of dysphoria, anxiety, irritability, and worry.
• Social Inhibition (SI): The tendency to inhibit the expression of emotions and behaviors in social interactions due to fear of disapproval or rejection by others.: Social Inhibition (SI): The tendency to inhibit the expression of emotions and behaviors in social interactions due to fear of disapproval or rejection by others.

Development of the DS14 Scale

The DS14 scale was developed by Dr. Johan Denollet in 2005 as a standardized measure to assess Type D personality. The scale consists of 14 items, with 7 items measuring negative affectivity and 7 items measuring social inhibition.

Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (false) to 4 (true). Scores on both subscales can range from 0 to 28. A cutoff score of ≥10 on both subscales is used to classify individuals as having Type D personality.

Health Implications

Research has linked Type D personality with various health outcomes, particularly in the context of cardiovascular health:

• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and poorer prognosis in cardiac patients
• Higher levels of stress hormones and inflammatory markers
• Increased risk of depression and anxiety
• Reduced quality of life and impaired social functioning
• Poorer health behaviors, such as less physical activity and poorer adherence to medical treatments

Coping Strategies for Type D Personality

If you have a Type D personality, there are several strategies that may help you manage the associated traits:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT):: Can help challenge negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques:: Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can help manage stress and negative emotions.
• Social skills training:: Can help improve comfort in social situations and reduce social inhibition.
• Regular physical activity:: Exercise has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress.
• Seeking social support:: Building a supportive network of friends and family can provide emotional support and reduce feelings of isolation.

Scientific Background

The concept of Type D personality was first introduced by Dr. Johan Denollet in the early 1990s. His research focused on the psychological risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.

The DS14 scale has been validated in multiple languages and populations, showing good psychometric properties including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity.

While the Type D construct has gained significant attention in health psychology research, it's important to note that personality is complex and multifaceted. Type D should be viewed as one of many factors that may influence health and well-being.

References

• Denollet, J. (2005). DS14: Standard assessment of negative affectivity, social inhibition, and Type D personality. Psychosomatic Medicine, 67(1), 89-97. 10.1097/01.psy.0000149256.81953.49
• Pedersen, S. S., & Denollet, J. (2006). Is Type D personality here to stay? Emerging evidence across cardiovascular disease patient groups. Current Cardiology Reviews, 2(3), 205-213.
• Mols, F., & Denollet, J. (2010). Type D personality in the general population: A systematic review of health status, mechanisms of disease, and work-related problems. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 8, 9.
• Kupper, N., & Denollet, J. (2018). Type D personality as a risk factor in coronary heart disease: A review of current evidence. Current Cardiology Reports, 20(11), 104