Abstract
Objective
Noise can cause distraction and mental dysfunction. In examining the effects of noise, it is important to pay attention to personality traits. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of noise exposure on problem-solving ability with the mediating role of personality type.
Method
This laboratory study was performed on 40 students. For this study, the recorded noise from the industry environment was broadcast to the volunteers and the students were exposed to different sound pressure levels (33, 75, 85 and 95 dBA). Eysenck Personality Questionnaire was used to assess personality type. Problem-solving abilities of students were assessed using the London Tower test. Data analysis was performed in version 22 of SPSS software.
Results
The results of data analysis showed that there is a significant relationship between different levels of noise pressure and students’ problem-solving ability so with increasing sound pressure level, problem-solving ability decreases (p < 0.001). No significant relationship was found between personality type and problem-solving ability (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
Considering the effect of noise on mental performance, noise control in work positions that require attention and processing of mental information is necessary.
Acknowledgement
This research with the code of ethics IR.SSU.SPH.REC.1399.056 is part of the master thesis of the author responsible for this article, which has been done with the support of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd. The authors of this study consider it necessary to thank and appreciate all the students participating in the study as well as the Vice Chancellor for Research of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).