Personality traits in multiple sclerosis: association with mood and anxiety disorders in a Romanian patients sample

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between anxiety, mood, and the five factor personality traits in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and also to document personality differences between MS patients and controls. Material and Methods: The sample comprised 63 patients with MS and 49 individuals drawn from the general population, who did not have MS. Results: In our study MS patients did not differ from controls in the five personality domains. Results show a significant relationship between mood/anxiety symptoms and personality traits in MS patients. Conclusion: MS patients with higher anxiety and depression exhibited higher neuroticism and less extroversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness than MS patients with lower anxiety and depression scores and normal controls.