ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the role of temperament as a predictor of maladaptive behavior under the experience of extreme stress. Temperament is defined as personality traits that are present from early childhood, and can be observed not only in human behavior but also in animals, and refers rather to formal aspects of behavior. Formal characteristics of behavior can be considered in terms of energetic and temporal patterns in behavior. The “temperament-stress” phenomena constitute a system of complex and reciprocal relationships. Beside the role of temperament in moderating the intensity of the state of stress, studies indicate some further relationships inside the model. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a set of symptoms described in DSM-IV and defined as a possible sequel of the experience of a traumatic event. Characteristics of the traumatic event and temperamental traits are important and widespread determinants of the psychological costs of being under extreme stress evoked by natural disaster.
