Characteristics of Personality Factors in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder : Survivors of Daegu Subway Fire Accident

Park, Hyoung Joo; Kim, Jung Bum; Ryu, Seol Young; Do, Jin Ah

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to assess the personality factors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients to investigate the contribution of personality to the development of PTSD.
METHODS
: The PTSD group and Non-PTSD group with no other sympton met DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for major psychiatric disorders were selected among 129 survivors of Daegu subway fire accident. Of 129 survivors of the accident, 95 survivors who had faithfully resonded to the psychiatric evaluation were assessed with Catell's 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Of 95 survivors, 52 survivors were diagnosed to have PTSD. The results were compared among PTSD group, non-PTSD group and normal group.
RESULTS
: In 16PF measurement, the scores of Anxiety and Tender-mindedness were significantly higher in PTSD group than normal and Non-PTSD groups. And the scores of Liberalism was significantly higher in PTSD group than normal group. The scores of Warmth, Stableness, Dominance, Surgency were significantly lower in PTSD and Non-PTSD than normal group. The scores of Guilty-proness and Anxiety were significantly higher in PTSD and Non-PTSD groups than normal group. In STAI measurement, PTSD group showed higher scores than Non-PTSD and normal group.
CONCLUSION
: These results suggested that patients with PTSD group were disposed to tension, anxiety, inpatience, fatigue, dependence, concern and compassion. It indicates that development of PTSD is associated with personality factors such as Anxiety and Tender-mindedness. Further prospective studies are necessary to clarify how personality factors were involved in the development of PTSD.