Dados do Trabalho

Título

PERSONALITY TRAITS IN ADULTS WITH CHRONIC INSOMNIA

Introdução

The five-factor model of personality is a hierarchical organization of personality traits in terms of five basic dimensions: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience. These traits can be considered predisposing and potential perpetuating factors of insomnia. Studies show that insomniacs have a greater degree of neuroticism and a lower degree of conscientiousness, however, the existing literature is still inconclusive about which personality traits show associations with the severity of insomnia. Identifying and analyzing the most prevalent personality traits in insomniacs can help develop more appropriate treatments.

Objetivo

Evaluate personality traits according to the big five model in participants with chronic insomnia and compare the differences between gender and degree of education.

Métodos

The subjects of the study were 227 adults (177 women and 163 with a college degree), ages 18-59 years (M=38.5, SD=11) who met DSM-V diagnostic criteria for chronic insomnia and underwent medical interviews. Individuals with other sleep disorders were excluded. Participants completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory Revised (NEO-FFI-R) which was applied online with the assistance of a psychologist. Descriptive analyzes (proportions, average, standard deviation) of the socio-demographic characteristics and personality traits of the participants were performed. Comparisons using the t test were performed considering gender and degree of education.

Resultados

Most of the sample subjects had high neuroticism (64.3%) and low extraversion (59%). Female participants had statistically higher scores in Agreeableness (p=0.03, d=0.48, 95% CI [0.04, 0.92]). Participants without higher education had statistically lower scores on Conscientiousness (p=0.03, d = -0.44, 95% CI [-0.83, -0.04]) and higher on neuroticism (p=0.02, d = 0.45, 95% CI [0.08, 0.82]). Data should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of male participants and of those who do not have a higher education.

Conclusões

The results corroborate previous studies by demonstrating that patients with chronic insomnia often have a high degree of neuroticism and a lower degree of extraversion.

Palavras-chave

Insomnia; Sleep; Personality traits.