Comparison of Mental Health and Personality Dimensions among the Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disrupters, with an outbreak of 4-25 percent, depending on the definition. This syndrome has several different outcomes that affect various aspects of life. The purpose of this study was to compare mental health and personality dimensions among the women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome. This was a causal-comparative study, and the statistical sample consisted of 126 women with and without polycystic ovarian syndrome selected via available sampling from clinics and private clinics of women in Isfahan City, Iran. Data were collected using Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Five-Factors Inventory-60 (NEO-FFI-60) and General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Data were analyzed using MANOVA test via SPSS software at a significant level of less than 0.010. Findings: There was a significant difference between the two groups in mental health dimensions, and it was lower in the group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (P < 0.010). The variance of the differences in general health was 10%. Moreover, the results of personality dimensions showed that the group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome had significantly higher levels of neuroticism and lower openness as well (P < 0.010). Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have a lower mental health than normal women, are more anxious, and have less openness to the experiences. Therefore, it is necessary to consider some psychological interventions for the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric syndromes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.