The Big Five Personality Traits and Positive Orientation in Polish Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: The Role of Meaning in Life

Małgorzata Szcześniak, Andrzej Potemkowski, Waldemar Brola, Zdzisław Kroplewski, Roman Ryszard Szałachowski, Marek Zak, Maciej Wilski, Piotr Sobolewski, Halina Bartosik-Psujek, Katarzyna Kapica-Topczewska, Joanna Tarasiuk, Agata Czarnowska, Alina Kułakowska, Beata Zakrzewska-Pniewska, Katarzyna Kubicka-Bączyk, Natalia Morawiec, Monika Adamczyk-Sowa, Adam Stępień, Jacek Zaborski, Anna Ratajczak and Marcin Ratajczak
Additional contact information
Małgorzata Szcześniak: Institute of Psychology, University of Szczecin, 71-017 Szczecin, Poland
Andrzej Potemkowski: Institute of Psychology, University of Szczecin, 71-017 Szczecin, Poland
Waldemar Brola: Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
Zdzisław Kroplewski: Institute of Psychology, University of Szczecin, 71-017 Szczecin, Poland
Roman Ryszard Szałachowski: Institute of Psychology, University of Szczecin, 71-017 Szczecin, Poland
Marek Zak: Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
Maciej Wilski: Department of Adapted Physical Activity, Poznan University of Physical Education, 61-871 Poznań, Poland
Piotr Sobolewski: Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
Halina Bartosik-Psujek: Department of Neurology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszów University, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Katarzyna Kapica-Topczewska: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-276 Białystok, Poland
Joanna Tarasiuk: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-276 Białystok, Poland
Agata Czarnowska: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-276 Białystok, Poland
Alina Kułakowska: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-276 Białystok, Poland
Beata Zakrzewska-Pniewska: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warszawa, Poland
Katarzyna Kubicka-Bączyk: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
Natalia Morawiec: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
Monika Adamczyk-Sowa: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
Adam Stępień: Department of Neurology, Military Institute of Medicine, 01-755 Warszawa, Poland
Jacek Zaborski: Department of Neurology and Neurological Rehabilitation and Stroke Sub-Division, Specialist Hospital in Międzylesie, 04-749 Warszawa, Poland
Anna Ratajczak: Postgraduate Study, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland
Marcin Ratajczak: Clinical Trial Center for MS-Patients, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: Scientific achievements concerning the direct relation between personality traits and positive orientation among patients with multiple sclerosis do not explain the role of potential mediators. In fact, some researchers argue that the traits–positivity association is much more complex than it seems to be. For this reason, we made an attempt to analyze the indirect relationship between the above-mentioned variables, including meaning in life as a mediator. In total, 618 patients with MS took part in the study. The NEO Five-Factor Inventory, the Positive Orientation Scale, and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire were used. The results showed that positive orientation/the presence of meaning/searching for meaning correlated positively with extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and were negatively associated with neuroticism. Moreover, meaning in life in both its dimensions acted as a mediator in 9 of 10 models. It can be assumed that a propensity to establish interpersonal relationships (extraversion), use active imagination (openness), inspire confidence among others (agreeableness), and take responsibility (conscientiousness) can have an impact on someone’s positive attitude toward oneself and the surrounding world (positive orientation) when people have meaning in life and when they are seeking it.

Keywords: big five traits; positive orientation; meaning in life; presence of life; searching for meaning; multiple sclerosis; adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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