July 18, 2017 (Journal of Multiple Sclerosis)
The goal of this study was to examine how personality and subjective well-being (SWB), psychological well-being (PWB), and perceived health in MS is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).
For this study, all participants were diagnosed with “clinically definite” MS and ages ranged from 20 to 64-years-old. All participants had no other neurological disorders. To assess personality traits, all participants filled out an online survey that consisted of questionnaires relating to personality, SWB – such as depression, anxiety, etc. – PWB, and other general and health-related quality of life.
The findings from this study suggest that personality has a significant association with SWB, PWB and health among individuals with MS, and those are consistent with what is found in the general population. For example, with regard to SWB, neuroticism had the most significant correlation with depression, anxiety and life satisfaction. The second most associated to SWB was extraversion.
The results of this study are telling in that they highly suggest that preexisting personalities play a large role in determining how a person with MS will perceive his or her life in coping with the difficulties that come with MS.