Temperament and Character Profiles ofSasangTypology in an Adult Clinical Sample

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the biopsychological personality profiles of traditional KoreanSasangtypology based on the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) in a Korean adult clinical sample. A total of 97 adults completed the Korean version of the TCI. The participants were classified as one of three traditional KoreanSasangtypes (31 So-Yang, 41 Tae-Eum, 25 So-Eum) by three specialists inSasangtypology. The seven dimensions of TCI were compared between the differentSasangtypes using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and profile analysis. There were no significant differences in age, gender and education across theSasangtypes. The TCI profile for each of theSasangtypes was significantly different (profile analysis, df = 5.038,F= 3.546,P= .004). There were significant differences in the temperament dimensions of Novelty Seeking (F= 3.43,P= .036) and Harm Avoidance (F= 5.43,P= .006) among theSasangtypes. The Novelty Seeking score of the So-Yang type (31.90 ± 9.87) was higher than that of the So-Eum type (25.24 ± 9.21;P= .019) while the So-Eum type (44.64 ± 8.47) scored higher on the Harm Avoidance score compared to the So-Yang type (35.16 ± 11.50;P= .003). There were no significant differences in the temperament dimension of Reward Dependence and Persistence, and the three character dimensions of Self-Directedness, Cooperativeness and Self-Transcendence. Results demonstrated distinct temperament traits associated with traditional KoreanSasangtypes using an objective biopsychological personality inventory. With further study, theSasangtypology may lead to enhanced clinical safety and efficacy as part of personalized medicine with traditional medicine.