THE FIVE-FACTOR MODEL APPROACH TO HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS: A CASE CONTROL STUDY
Abstract:
Objectives: The aim of this case-control pilot study was to examine whether there are
differences in personality characteristics between hypertensive and normotensive individuals in terms
of the Five-Factor Model (FFM). Methods: 71 individuals with primary hypertension were compared
with 84 normotensive individuals on the DECAS personality inventory, assessing the five basic
dimensions of personality according to the FFM. Results: Agreeableness and emotional stability were
associated with hypertension (p-0,0001 for both). Hypertensive individuals showed low and very low
agreeableness and emotional stability whereas normotensives scored medium and high in these two
dimensions. Lower emotional stability was a risk factor for hypertension (OR=4.51, CI 95%=2.18-
9.35). There were no significant differences in openness, extraversion and consciousness between
hypertensives and normotensives (p>0.05). Conclusion: Individuals with low emotional stability/high
neuroticism have more than fourfold increased risk of developing hypertension
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