Well-Being and Perceived Health in Multiple Sclerosis (MS): The Role of Personality

Objectives: Personality is known to have a substantial impact on health and overall well-being. Neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness in particular have been shown to be strongly correlated with subjective well-being (SWB), psychological well-being (PWB), and overall health. The present study aimed to examine the role of personality and its relationship to SWB, PWB, and health in a multiple sclerosis (MS) sample. Methods: One hundred and seventy-two individuals with MS completed measures of personality, SWB, PWB, and health. Pearson correlations were conducted to examine the relationship among these factors. Results: Consistent with what has been shown in the general, healthy population personality has a strong correlation with many aspects of well-being and health. This was particularly true for neuroticism and extraversion, and to a lesser extent, conscientiousness. Openness and agreeableness demonstrated the weakest associations. Conclusion: The role of personality on well-being and health has long been established. The present study is one of the first to examine these associations in a MS sample. Findings suggest that assessment of personality should be considered part of routine care for individuals with MS in hopes of tailoring interventions to assure maintenance and/ or improvement in well-being and health.