Personality of Patients with Pain

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between pain and personality characteristics.

Methods: We asked the outpatients attending all the clinical departments of Mie University Hospital to complete a questionnaire that included a visual analog scale [VAS] for evaluating pain within the last week and the Maudsley Personality Inventory.

Results: Out of a total of 5013 outpatients, 3055 answered the questionnaire [collection rate: 60.9 percent]. Based on the VAS, subjects with a VAS = 0 mm were defined as the no pain group [n = 2,196], those with 0 mm < VAS < 100 mm as the pain group [n = 839] and subjects with a VAS = 100 mm as the worst pain group [n = 20]. Each score of the Maudsley Personality Inventory was compared among the three groups. The E score of the pain group was significantly lower than that of the no pain group [p < 0.01]. The N score of the pain group was significantly higher than that of the no pain group [p < 0.01]. The L score of the worst pain group tended to be higher, but there was no significant difference with that of the other two groups.

Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between pain and personality. The subjects with pain were mostly introverted and neurotic.

• Extroversion
• Maudsley Personality Inventory
• neuroticism
• pain
• personality

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all of the patients and medical staff that made this study possible.