Pe~ceptualand Motor Skills, 1975, 41, 135-14 1. @ Perceptual and Motor Skills 1975
FIELD DEPENDENCE, BLOOD URIC ACID AND CHOLESTEROL1 ABRAHAM FLEMENBAUM AND ESTHER FLEMENBAUM Texar Tech University School of Medicine Summary.-A preliminary report of the correlation of field dependence, blood uric acid, and cholesterol is presented here for 65 recently admitted patients to the psychiatric services of the University of Minnesota. The values for all three variables were taken once within 24 to 48 hr. after admission and prior to drug treatment whenever possible. Results are suggestive that the initial hypothesis; high blood uric acid, low-cholesterol individuals are more field-independent and high-cholesterol, low blood-uric acid individuals are more field-dependent holds, although this difference is mostly influenced by the values of cholesterol. Probably because of the small number of subjects tested no relationship could be observed with blood types used as genetic markers. Further controlled studies are suggested and are currently being carried out.
Field dependence is an extensively studied cognitive construct introduced by Witkin (1965 ). More recently, Oltman (1968) developed a simple portable rod-and-frame apparatus that facilitated reliable measurements. Studies have shown that field-dependent individuals tend to have a higher basal level of galvanic skin responses (GSRs), an increased tendency to generalize noxious stimuli and more susceptibility to anxious-hallucinatory symptomatology under sensory deprivation conditions, and undergo more test anxiety as measured both by GSR and word content of taped interviews (Klein, et al., 1967; Oltman, 1968; Witkin, 1965). Based on these characteristics, and because high basal GSR and anxiety levels consistently have been correlated with higher levels of free fatty acids-and cholesterol (Gottschalk, 1974), we speculated that field-dependent individuals would have higher levels of cholesterol than field-dependent ones. In blood chemistry studies, on the other hand, variables such as blood uric acid and cholesterol frequently have been described as correlates of personality characteristics. For example, independent of genetic factors and "inherited" social status studies on university professors, executives, and others with high achieved social status, i.e., having a greater degree of motivation and achievement behavior, have reported these individuals to have higher levels of blood uric acid than controls (Anumonye, et al., 1969; Brooks, er al., 1966; Dunn, ej al., 1963; Mueller, et al., 1970). Similar findings have been reported on high school students where high levels of blood uric correlate with higher levels of motivation, less test anxiety, more extracurricular activities, etc., than controls (Kasl, et al., 1970a, 1970b). 'This investigation was supported in part by Research Grant No. MYP-5106 from the National Instimre of Mental Health, U. S. Public Health Service. The author wishes to express his appreciation to Carol Urnland, R . N . and Ginny Walzer, R . N . for help in obtaining data for this study and to Robert Zirnrnermann, Ph.D. (all of Minnesota) for invaluable help in the statistical analysis.
136
A. FLEMENBAUM
(c:
E. FLEMENBAUM
Also, in studies of groups of male and female subjects of different ages, individuals with high levels of blood cholesterol have been described as less motivated (or less likely to finish distressful training programs), more likely to feel overburdened by difficulties, and show more test anxiety and dissatisfaction with school than subjects wich low cholesterol (Kasl, et al., 1970a; Payne, c t al., 1963; Rahe, et al., 1972). In a similar subject area, Rosenman and Friedman, even after controlling for obesity, exercise and cigarette smoking, identified regardless of sex (1961, 1963) a type of individual which they called their Type A personality. Such individuals are prone to feelings of being over-burdened and as do field-dependent subjects, have a high need for achievement and recognition, but wich a continuous sense of pressing deadlines and of time urgency, underlying hostility, and dissatisfaction with work. Type A people were found to have myocardial infarctions at a rate five times greater than controls as well as higher cholesterol levels than control groups. Descriptions of individuals with high and low blood uric acid and high and low cholesterol suggest chat these biochemical variables may influence and/or correlate with personality variables, the high blood uric acid, low cholesterol being more satisfactory. Other combinations like high blood uric acid, high cholesterol should correlate wich a highly motivated but overburdened, nervous individual who is simultaneously productive and disturbed by his perceived difficulties (similar to Rosenman and Friedman's Type A ) . Low blood uric acid, .low cholesterol should characterize a low-motivation, low-disturbance personality type. Because the descriprion of personality characteris~icsof individuals with high cholesterol, low blood uric acid on the one hand, and with low cholesterol, high uric acid on the other seems co correlate well with the personality descriptions of field-dependent and field-independent individuals respectively, the authors hypothesized that the first group (high cholesterol, low blood uric acid) would be more field-dependent than the second while a mixed group (high cholesterol, high uric acid) while still field-independent would share some fielddependent personality characteristics.
METHOD The data were estimates obtained upon admission of blood uric acid and cholesterol for 65 patients in acute psychiatric episodes that necessitated inpatient treatment at the Adult Services of the University of Minnesota Hospitals. The blood samples were obtained within the first 24 to 48 hr. after admission and usually before psychotropic medication had been initiated. Field dependence was tested (after allowing the patient to adapt to the new environment) by a research nurse who gave eight trials on the portable rod-andframe test (Koran, e t al., 1972). The absolute value of the degrees deviation
FIELD DEPENDENCE: BLOOD URIC ACID, CHOLESTEROL
137
then was summed across all eight trials. Although ideally we should have obtained multiple serial measurement of the three variables under controlled conditions, this was not economically feasible. An MMPI was given r o ~ t i n e l y . ~
RESULTS The study utilized data from 24 males and 41 females, ranging in age from 17 to 73 yr. The average field dependence for the entire group was 33.5' deviation (adding all 8 trials) or about 4.2' deviation per crial. (Males' M = 6.45' or 48.35' in 8 trials; females' M = 4.80' or 38.4' in 8 trials.) The range of field dependence was between 2.5 and 201' deviation from the vertical. The range for cholesterol for males was 152 to 279, and for females 137 to 426. The range of blood uric acid for males was 2.8 through 7.7, and for females 2.0 through 8.6. To test our hypothesis the mean laboratory values of the University of Minnesota (cholesterol M = 196, SD = 25 for both men and women; blood uric acid M = 5.9 for men and 4.6 for women, SD = 1.2) were used as cut-off points because they are a good representation of normal values. TABLE I FIELDDEPENDENCEBY CHOLESTEROL AND BLOODURIC ACID (BUA) Group*
N
Age
BUA
Chol
F Dt
10 27.9 5.4 167.8 22.7 15 28.0 3.0 165.4 26.1 18 35.5 6.5 237.0 37.1 4 (High-Chol-low-BUA) 14 29.9 3.3 245.1 44.1 *Low BUA or Chol refers to values equal or lower than laboratory averages at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. The reverse holds for High Blood Uric Acid o r Cholesterol. +Field dependence values given as the sum of the absolute value of degrees of deviation for 8 trials. Note.-N = 57; N does not equal 65 because not all data were available for all patients. 1 (Low-Chol-high-BUA) 2 (Low-Chol-low-BUA) 3 (High-Chol-high-BUA)
The patients were then classified into four groups according to high or low blood uric acid and high or low cholesterol values (Table 1 ) . Momentarily disregarding Groups 2 and 3 in Table I, and looking only at Group 1 (low cholesterol, high blood uric acid) and Group 4 (high cholesterol, low blood uric acid) -which, in our hypothesis, should be the most different ones-the field-dependent showed a statistically significant difference ( f < 0.05) in a two-tailed analysis of variance (Table 2 ) . Considering all four groups and using a two-way analysis of variance for the unweighted means because of the differences in sample size, the results (Table 3 ) suggest that: ( 1 ) none or little of the difference is due co blood uric acid, ( 2 ) there is no inceraction between blood uric acid and cholesterol to explain 'Patients were also tested for ABO R h blood groupings.
138
A. FLEMENBAUM
&
E. FLEMENBAUM
TABLE 2 ANALYSIS OF VARIANCEFOR TWO EXTREME GROUPS (GROUPS1 AND 4 ) * df SS MS F P Between Groups 1 20.995 20.975 4.86
FIELD DEPENDENCE, BLOOD URIC ACID AND CHOLESTEROL1 ABRAHAM FLEMENBAUM AND ESTHER FLEMENBAUM Texar Tech University School of Medicine Summary.-A preliminary report of the correlation of field dependence, blood uric acid, and cholesterol is presented here for 65 recently admitted patients to the psychiatric services of the University of Minnesota. The values for all three variables were taken once within 24 to 48 hr. after admission and prior to drug treatment whenever possible. Results are suggestive that the initial hypothesis; high blood uric acid, low-cholesterol individuals are more field-independent and high-cholesterol, low blood-uric acid individuals are more field-dependent holds, although this difference is mostly influenced by the values of cholesterol. Probably because of the small number of subjects tested no relationship could be observed with blood types used as genetic markers. Further controlled studies are suggested and are currently being carried out.
Field dependence is an extensively studied cognitive construct introduced by Witkin (1965 ). More recently, Oltman (1968) developed a simple portable rod-and-frame apparatus that facilitated reliable measurements. Studies have shown that field-dependent individuals tend to have a higher basal level of galvanic skin responses (GSRs), an increased tendency to generalize noxious stimuli and more susceptibility to anxious-hallucinatory symptomatology under sensory deprivation conditions, and undergo more test anxiety as measured both by GSR and word content of taped interviews (Klein, et al., 1967; Oltman, 1968; Witkin, 1965). Based on these characteristics, and because high basal GSR and anxiety levels consistently have been correlated with higher levels of free fatty acids-and cholesterol (Gottschalk, 1974), we speculated that field-dependent individuals would have higher levels of cholesterol than field-dependent ones. In blood chemistry studies, on the other hand, variables such as blood uric acid and cholesterol frequently have been described as correlates of personality characteristics. For example, independent of genetic factors and "inherited" social status studies on university professors, executives, and others with high achieved social status, i.e., having a greater degree of motivation and achievement behavior, have reported these individuals to have higher levels of blood uric acid than controls (Anumonye, et al., 1969; Brooks, er al., 1966; Dunn, ej al., 1963; Mueller, et al., 1970). Similar findings have been reported on high school students where high levels of blood uric correlate with higher levels of motivation, less test anxiety, more extracurricular activities, etc., than controls (Kasl, et al., 1970a, 1970b). 'This investigation was supported in part by Research Grant No. MYP-5106 from the National Instimre of Mental Health, U. S. Public Health Service. The author wishes to express his appreciation to Carol Urnland, R . N . and Ginny Walzer, R . N . for help in obtaining data for this study and to Robert Zirnrnermann, Ph.D. (all of Minnesota) for invaluable help in the statistical analysis.
136
A. FLEMENBAUM
(c:
E. FLEMENBAUM
Also, in studies of groups of male and female subjects of different ages, individuals with high levels of blood cholesterol have been described as less motivated (or less likely to finish distressful training programs), more likely to feel overburdened by difficulties, and show more test anxiety and dissatisfaction with school than subjects wich low cholesterol (Kasl, et al., 1970a; Payne, c t al., 1963; Rahe, et al., 1972). In a similar subject area, Rosenman and Friedman, even after controlling for obesity, exercise and cigarette smoking, identified regardless of sex (1961, 1963) a type of individual which they called their Type A personality. Such individuals are prone to feelings of being over-burdened and as do field-dependent subjects, have a high need for achievement and recognition, but wich a continuous sense of pressing deadlines and of time urgency, underlying hostility, and dissatisfaction with work. Type A people were found to have myocardial infarctions at a rate five times greater than controls as well as higher cholesterol levels than control groups. Descriptions of individuals with high and low blood uric acid and high and low cholesterol suggest chat these biochemical variables may influence and/or correlate with personality variables, the high blood uric acid, low cholesterol being more satisfactory. Other combinations like high blood uric acid, high cholesterol should correlate wich a highly motivated but overburdened, nervous individual who is simultaneously productive and disturbed by his perceived difficulties (similar to Rosenman and Friedman's Type A ) . Low blood uric acid, .low cholesterol should characterize a low-motivation, low-disturbance personality type. Because the descriprion of personality characteris~icsof individuals with high cholesterol, low blood uric acid on the one hand, and with low cholesterol, high uric acid on the other seems co correlate well with the personality descriptions of field-dependent and field-independent individuals respectively, the authors hypothesized that the first group (high cholesterol, low blood uric acid) would be more field-dependent than the second while a mixed group (high cholesterol, high uric acid) while still field-independent would share some fielddependent personality characteristics.
METHOD The data were estimates obtained upon admission of blood uric acid and cholesterol for 65 patients in acute psychiatric episodes that necessitated inpatient treatment at the Adult Services of the University of Minnesota Hospitals. The blood samples were obtained within the first 24 to 48 hr. after admission and usually before psychotropic medication had been initiated. Field dependence was tested (after allowing the patient to adapt to the new environment) by a research nurse who gave eight trials on the portable rod-andframe test (Koran, e t al., 1972). The absolute value of the degrees deviation
FIELD DEPENDENCE: BLOOD URIC ACID, CHOLESTEROL
137
then was summed across all eight trials. Although ideally we should have obtained multiple serial measurement of the three variables under controlled conditions, this was not economically feasible. An MMPI was given r o ~ t i n e l y . ~
RESULTS The study utilized data from 24 males and 41 females, ranging in age from 17 to 73 yr. The average field dependence for the entire group was 33.5' deviation (adding all 8 trials) or about 4.2' deviation per crial. (Males' M = 6.45' or 48.35' in 8 trials; females' M = 4.80' or 38.4' in 8 trials.) The range of field dependence was between 2.5 and 201' deviation from the vertical. The range for cholesterol for males was 152 to 279, and for females 137 to 426. The range of blood uric acid for males was 2.8 through 7.7, and for females 2.0 through 8.6. To test our hypothesis the mean laboratory values of the University of Minnesota (cholesterol M = 196, SD = 25 for both men and women; blood uric acid M = 5.9 for men and 4.6 for women, SD = 1.2) were used as cut-off points because they are a good representation of normal values. TABLE I FIELDDEPENDENCEBY CHOLESTEROL AND BLOODURIC ACID (BUA) Group*
N
Age
BUA
Chol
F Dt
10 27.9 5.4 167.8 22.7 15 28.0 3.0 165.4 26.1 18 35.5 6.5 237.0 37.1 4 (High-Chol-low-BUA) 14 29.9 3.3 245.1 44.1 *Low BUA or Chol refers to values equal or lower than laboratory averages at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. The reverse holds for High Blood Uric Acid o r Cholesterol. +Field dependence values given as the sum of the absolute value of degrees of deviation for 8 trials. Note.-N = 57; N does not equal 65 because not all data were available for all patients. 1 (Low-Chol-high-BUA) 2 (Low-Chol-low-BUA) 3 (High-Chol-high-BUA)
The patients were then classified into four groups according to high or low blood uric acid and high or low cholesterol values (Table 1 ) . Momentarily disregarding Groups 2 and 3 in Table I, and looking only at Group 1 (low cholesterol, high blood uric acid) and Group 4 (high cholesterol, low blood uric acid) -which, in our hypothesis, should be the most different ones-the field-dependent showed a statistically significant difference ( f < 0.05) in a two-tailed analysis of variance (Table 2 ) . Considering all four groups and using a two-way analysis of variance for the unweighted means because of the differences in sample size, the results (Table 3 ) suggest that: ( 1 ) none or little of the difference is due co blood uric acid, ( 2 ) there is no inceraction between blood uric acid and cholesterol to explain 'Patients were also tested for ABO R h blood groupings.
138
A. FLEMENBAUM
&
E. FLEMENBAUM
TABLE 2 ANALYSIS OF VARIANCEFOR TWO EXTREME GROUPS (GROUPS1 AND 4 ) * df SS MS F P Between Groups 1 20.995 20.975 4.86
