FIVE-FACTOR PERSONALITY DIFFERENCES IN ADULTS WITH AND WITHOUT NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS IN KARACHI

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the differences in the five –factor personality dimensions in adults with neurological disorders (ND)-(epilepsy, guillain-barre syndrome-GBS and stroke) and without neurological disorders.

Design: Comparative Study.

Place and duration of Study: Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi in 2013-2015.

Subject and Method:  60 individuals with ND and 60 individuals without  ND (control group)  (Mean age 27.53;SD= 4.38), were selected after matching the variables of age, gender, marital status, educational level, and socioeconomic status from the Neurological Ward of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Karachi, Pakistan. A demographic form and the NEO Five Factor Inventory-Urdu Version were administered on both the group individually.

Results and Conclusion:  t-test showed a significant difference in Neuroticism (N) individuals with ND scoring higher than individuals without ND. Alternatively, on the Openness (O) and Conscientiousness (C) dimensions individuals without   ND scored significantly higher than individuals with ND indicating that this group had low levels on both these traits.  No significance difference was found when comparing Extraversion (E) and Agreeableness (A) between the two groups.

This study would be helpful for Neurologists, psychiatrists and Clinical psychologists to understand the personality traits of patients with neurological disorders and thereby to provide psychological services according to their needs.