Questionnaire about psychology/disease correlation-I

J Med Life. 2011 Jan-Mar;4(1):40-56. Epub 2011 Feb 25.

Abstract

Rationale: The existing personality inventories are exploring too general psychological features so that the possible psychology/disease associations might be leveled out.

Objective: We attempt to build a tool to explore the possible correlation between certain psychological features and the most common internal disorders.

Method: We have used two questionnaires containing many pairs of synonymous items (necessary for assessing the consistency of the answers). The items are divided into four main domains: preoccupation for the basal conditions of existence (health/ disease/ death, fear, money, lodging); interaction with other people; action, will/ volition, self-assertion; and preoccupation with the exterior. In this first article we are presenting the correlations between items of the first domain, based on the answers from our first 3138 respondents.

Results and discussion: The concern about health is best reflected by general formulations. The desire for security is best expressed by items combining the worry about money and dwelling, and worst by items reflecting the eagerness to gain, keep or judiciously spend money. Among the various fears, those of future, darkness, and loneliness are better indicators of security concern. In assessing the anxiety about safety/ security, specific worries are more revelatory than the general ones. Precaution and inclination for order are the best indicators for the aspiration to stability. Poorer ones are the desire for cleanliness and the tendency to attachment. Health and security concerns seem to be consistently linked. The consistency evaluating system will be based upon pairs of synonymous items correlated with a10(-200) or less error probability.

Keywords: personality inventory; psychological predisposition to disease; psychological profile.

MeSH terms

  • Disease / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Personality Inventory*
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*