The Role of Personality Traits in Predicting Irritable Bowel Syndrome Mediated by Anxiety Sensitivity

The significance of psychological and personality factors in predicting and treating irritable bowel syndrome has garnered special attention from researchers and therapists in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of personality traits on predicting irritable bowel syndrome, with anxiety sensitivity as a mediating factor. 

The current study is descriptive and correlational. The statistical population of the present study included all final-year high school students in Osku city. A sample of 292 students was selected using the multi-stage cluster sampling method, and they were administered irritable bowel syndrome questionnaires (EISSS) and the NEO Personality Inventory. The participants completed the NEO-FFI and the revised Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory (ASI-R). Amos version 21 software was used for data analysis.

The results indicate that the personality traits of neuroticism, openness to experience, and conscientiousness are positively and significantly associated with irritable bowel syndrome, both directly and through the mediation of anxiety sensitivity. Conversely, the personality traits of agreeableness and extroversion are negatively and significantly related to irritable bowel syndrome, both directly and through the mediation of anxiety sensitivity. Overall, the results indicate that personality traits, mediated by anxiety sensitivity, have a significant impact on irritable bowel syndrome. The squared index of estimation error (RMSEA = 0.05) and the goodness of fit (GFI = 0.91) were calculated.

According to the evidence obtained on the role of psychological factors in the formation, initiation, aggravation, or mitigation of symptoms, it appears that no treatment strategy for IBS patients can succeed without considering the influence of psychological factors