Relationaheep between the five factors of personality, Alexithymia and the Mental Health of MS patients

Unfortunately one of the diseases in the present century, which affects the youths particularly the young girls and women, is the multiple sclerosis (MS). Given numerous numbers of MS patients and importance of identifying effective acts to promote their Mental Health, this study accomplished to review the association between the five factors of personality, Alexithymia and the Mental Health of MS patients.

This descriptive study selected 218 MS patients with simple random sampling method (157 females and 61 males). In Lorestan Province, Iran. The measurement tools were employed included: 1. Demographic Questionnaire; 2. the NEO Five-Factor Inventory- Revised (NEO-FFI-R) 3. the alexithymia Inventory, and 4. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). In this study, Multiple Regression Analysis and Pearson Correlation Test have been adapted for data analysis.

The results indicated that some variables such as neuroticism, conscientiousness, difficulty describing feelings and difficulty identifying feelings are significant predicators for Mental Health in those who suffered from MS.

These findings indicate that, personality and Alexithymia are almost influential factors on MS patients’ mental health. Findings also has important implications on the education and mental health’s improvment of MS patients.