Temperament and Character in Response to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of temperament and character traits on the response to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) of patients with panic disorder (PD). A total of 55 patients underwent 12 sessions of CBT in group (CBGT). Symptom severity was assessed before and after the intervention and the Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory was applied before CBGT. A significant reduction in the severity of the PD severity of the patients after the intervention was observed. Regression analysis indicated that characteristics of temperament (persistence) and character (self-directedness and cooperativeness) were not significantly related to the improvement of agoraphobia and depression, leaving the initial severity of these symptoms as independent factors of response to CBGT.