• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.151-164
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• 2004

Objectives : The objective of this study was to examine the biopsychological traits of each Sasang type from a personality theory perspective. Methods : A review of different theories of personality is provided, in addition to review of ten previous studies on the psychological characteristics of the Sasang types. Results : 1. Similarities and differences were found between Sasang typology and Western theories of personality. 2. The prevalence of Sasang type was 28:36:36 (So-Yang:Tae-Eum:So-Eum), and the majority of the study sample were males in their twenties. 3. The Yin-Yang and Large-Small axes of Sasang typology were comparable to Eysenck's Extraversion and Neuroticism dimension. So-Yang type showed high extraversion and low neuroticism, and So-Eum type exhibited low extraversion and high neuroticism. Tae-Eum type was extravert and neurotic, and highly distinctive in such physical traits as Body Mass Index and blood triglyceride concentration. 4. We make recommendations for future studies on Sasang typology within a biopsychosocial and cognitive framework. Conclusions : This study demonstrates the possibility of Sasang typology being explicable from a cross-cultural biopsychosocial theory.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.304-314
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• 2005

The major concept of Sasang typology is that the disease susceptibility and drug response as well as physiological characteristics are presumed to be different depending on their Sasang types. Although characterizing fundamental basis of their traits are crucial in this research field, only pathological susceptibility and physical appearances were thoroughly studied. We evaluated their physiological characteristics by tapping psychological, physical and genetic traits of each Sasang types. After determining the Sasang type of one hundred three college students based on the Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Classification, the psychological, physical and genetic traits of each type were analyzed with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and genetic polymorphism test, respectively. Each of the Sasang types showed significantly different profiles (Generalized estimation equation, coef=11.88, z=2.13, p=0.033), and could be distinctively classified based on their MBTI scores (discriminant analysis Wilks Lambda=0.611, df=8, chi-square=36.7, p<0.001). Subjects with the So-Eum type (Introversion and Judging) and the So-Yang type (Extroversion and Perceiving) showed contrasting psychological features, however they had similar anthropometric characteristics. Subjects with the Tae-Eum type showed bigger Body Mass Index ($R^2$=0.22, df=4, 74, F=5.07, p=0.001) and body shape compared to others. Although there were no significant differences in G-protein beta-3 subunit polymorphism, angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism and Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymprhisms among groups with Sasang types, it was shown that the dopamine system could be one for genetic marker for Sasang typology. These results demonstrated distinctive and essential traits of Sasang typology using reproducible psychometric, anthropometric and genetic evaluations. We also found that the Sasang typology was a bio-psychological typology which could show trait-specific guideline for individualized medicine.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.34-47
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• 2019

Introduction Cloninger's Novelty-Seeking (NS) and Harm-Avoidance (HA) were found to be the biopsychological characteristic of Sasang typology, and the So-Yang type has high NS and low HA however the So-Eum type as contrary. The purpose of this study was to show the clinical usefulness of these measures as objective clinical index of Sasang typology in foreign countries lacking validated measures. Methods The Sasang type of 103 university students was diagnosed using Questionnaire for Sasang Constitution Classification (QSCC) II and clinical specialist, and biopsychological and physical features with NS, HA, Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and BMI. These measures were normalized to make a noble index of 'NS(100-HA)', and the correlation among these were examined with Pearson's correlation. The differences of biopsychological and physical features between Sasang type groups were attested with ANCOVA, and the comparison of clinical usefulness of SPQ and NS(100-HA) were examined with discriminant analysis. Results SPQ and BMI were clinically useful for Sasang typology as shown in previous studies, and the substitution of SPQ with normalized NS(100-HA) was found acceptable. The NS(100-HA) is significantly correlated with SPQ (r=0.466, p<0.01), however not with BMI (r=0.079, ns). The SPQ and NS(100-HA) scores were found to be distinctive between Sasang type groups, and these were found to predict Sasang type of participants with similar correctness. Discussion and Conclusion The current study reviewed the theoretical backgrounds and confirmed the clinical usefulness of Cloninger's biopsychological theory in Sasang typology. These might provide foundations for integrative medicine and cross-cultural biopsychology of the East and West.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.86-98
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• 2004

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the susceptibility of the patients diagnosed by rheumatoid arthritis to Sasang Typology. Methods: This study are planned to detect the susceptibility of the patients diagnosed by rheumatoid arthritis to Sasang Typology. In order to analyze the susceptibility of rheumatoid arthritis to Sasang Typology, 147 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 147 matched controls are assessed with QSCC II question for Sasang Typology. Then the frequencies of patients by Sasang constitution are compared to those of control, which are statistically analyzed and adjusted by age, sex, smoking status, alchol intake, BMI, and economic status. Results: The demographic characteristics of the study population are similar in sex and age distribution, smoking status, and alcohol intake(p>0.05). 147 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 147 matched controls are assessed with QSCC II question for Sasang constitution. Soeumin is the most susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis compared to Taeumin or Soyangin(Crude OR[95% CI]; 3.82 [2.19-6.64]). It is statistically significant after adjusting age, sex, smoking status, alcohol intake, BMI, and economic status(Adjusted OR[95% CI]; 3.01[1.47-6.15]). Conclusions: It is suggested that the specific Sasang Typology associated with rheumatoid arthritis is used as its susceptibility marker and further as basic data to prevent the risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.36-64
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• 2019

Introduction The purpose of this study was to review thirty years of studies on psychological characteristics of Sasang types to delineate generalizable psychological theories pertaining Sasang typology. Methods Research articles providing psychometric characteristics of each Sasang types were extracted from five database written in Korean and English. Demographic features of the participants, clinical methods for the Sasang type classification, and psychological characteristics of each Sasang types were reviewed and summarized. Results A total of 59 peer-reviewed research articles were found to be published from 1991 to 2018, and the So-Yang and So-Eum Sasang type showed distinctive and contrasting psychological features. The overlap between Eastern and Western psychology in Behavioral Activation and Inhibition System was highlighted as for personality studies, but the anxiety as a pathological factor was not found distinguishable between Sasang types. Discussion The present systematic review provided insight on psychological perspectives of Sasang typology, and would be useful for establishing unique construct of Korean Psychology.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.303-320
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• 2021

Objectives: Although medical typologies based on indigenous biopsychological ideas have been described, their integrity has been questioned due to its theory-driven nature in categorization. Therefore, studies on the Sasang typology, a temperament-based traditional Korean medicine, are needed to examine whether it is possible to classify types of specific biopsychological profiles using data-driven analysis. Methods: Psychological measures of the Eastern Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and Western NEO-Personality Inventory (NEO-PI) along with physical measures and Sasang types were acquired from 2,049 participants. Latent groups based on the SPQ and NEO-PI subscale scores were extracted using Latent Profile Analysis. Their psychosomatic features were then compared with those of Sasang types. Results: Three SPQ-based latent groups showed distinctive psychological and physical features consistent with those of Sasang types. However, four NEOPI-based latent groups presented only psychological features. Furthermore, SPQ-High and SPQ-Low latent groups demonstrated similar psychosomatic profiles to those of So-Yang and So-Eum Sasang types, respectively. Conclusions: This study illustrates that biopsychological profiles of Sasang types are supported by psychosomatic features of latent groups based on SPQ of Eastern psychology, signifying that the categorization of Sasang typology have acceptable validity and reliability.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.452-459
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between general health condition and biopsychological traits of Sasang typology which determines the disease susceptibility and treatment responses. We had Korean Constitutional Multicenter Bank (KCMB) listed 1156 participants for measuring Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and Body Mass Index (BMI) for biopsychological traits of each Sasang types as well as Short Form 12 (SF12) for general health status. All the analysis was performed with consideration of gender and age. We analyzed the differences in general health status between Sasang types and the correlation between general health status and biopsychological traits of Sasang typology. We also analyzed how much the selected SF12 subscales can be explained with biopsychosocial characteristics. There were no generaliszable differences among Sasang type groups in SF12, no significant correlation between biopsychological traits and SF12 Physical and Mental Component Summary. We found that there were significant correlations between SPQ-Behavior subscale and SF12 Vitality, and the regression model with SPQ-Behavior, SPQ-Emotionality, age and sex can predict 15.4% of the total variances in SF12 Vitality. We discussed the possibility that the Sasang typology is not a determinant of general health status but a moderator for the susceptibility and response. This study would contribute to the development of Sasang type-specific life nurturing program focusing on the psychological perspectives.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.61-68
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• 2007

Objectives : The present study investigated the integrative relationships between Sasang typology, Holland's vocational typology, and Myers-Briggs type. Methods : The sample was composed of 83 sophomores at the College of Oriental Medicine, Daegu Hanny University (56 men, 27 women; ages 19 to 39, mean age ${\pm}$S. D. = 24.38 ${\pm}$ 5.28) and was carried out with the QSCC II, Holland inventory, and MBTI. SPSS 12.0 was employed for statistical analyses. Results : The Sasang types of the subjects were as followed: 21 Soyangin (10 men, 11 women) (25.3%), 20 Taeumin (18 men, 2 women) (24.1%), and 42 Soeumin (28 men, 14 women) (50.6%). There were no significant differences in the mean scores of Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, or Conventional scale between the 3 Sasang types, but in the mean scores of Realistic, Investigative, and Artistic scale between the 4 MBTI combinations (Sensing-Thinking, Sensing-Feeling, Intuition-Thinking, and Intuition-Feeling type): F (3, 73) = 3.11, p < .05 in Realistic scale, F (2, 73) = 3.70, p < .05 in Investigative scale, and F (2, 73) = 5.60, p < .01 in Artistic scale. Conclusions : The present study discovered that the first preference for vocational aptitude of undergraduate students at the College of Oriental Medicinewas Investigative and the second preference was Artistic, which fitted Holland's vocational codes as Investigative/Artistic or Investigative/Social scale. The personality traits underlying Sasang typology play an important factor in making career decisions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.261-267
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric structure of Sasang typology with four personality measures and examine the construct validity of Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). We measured biopsychological traits of 104 university students using SPQ, Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), NEO-Personality Inventory (NEO-PI) and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The construct validity of SPQ was analyzed with TCI, NEO-PI and MBTI using Pearson's correlation. The temperament features of each Sasang groups were compared with Analysis of Variance and Profile Analysis. The SPQ showed significant correlation with TCI Novelty-Seeking (r=.398), TCI Harm-Avoidance (r=-.333), TCI Reward-Dependence (r=.465), TCI Self-Directedness (r=0.340), NEO-PI Extraversion (r=0.489) and MBTI Extraversion-Introversion (r=-0.509). The SPQ, TCI and NEO-PI revealed significant differences between Sasang constitutional groups. We examined the temperament construct of the Sasang typology and the validity of SPQ with well established western biopsychosocial instruments. This study would contribute to the objective studies on the biopsychosocial mechanism of Sasang medicine.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.363-371
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to find out the body shape characteristics of each Sasang constitution typology. The constitution type of the subjects was determined by Sasang Constitution Analysis Tool(SCAT) and a Sasang specialist. The body circumference of the subjects and their respective proportions were analyzed. Concordance rates between SCAT and the specialist were 33.0% and 41.5% for men and women, respectively, and Soyangin had the lowest concordance rate. Forehead/neck, chest/iliac, rib/iliac, and rib/curvature circumference ratios of female subjects showed the same results in both SCAT and the specialist. In determining the constitution type, it was confirmed that the ratio between specific circumferences can be a more meaningful criterion than the circumference.