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

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Małgorzata Szcześniak & Andrzej Potemkowski & Waldemar Brola & Zdzisław Kroplewski & Roman Ryszard Szałachowski & Marek Zak & Maciej Wilski & Piotr Sobolewski & Halina Bartosik-Psujek & Katarzyna Kapi, 2022. "The Big Five Personality Traits and Positive Orientation in Polish Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: The Role of Meaning in Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5426-:d:805366
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Emanuela Calandri & Federica Graziano & Martina Borghi & Silvia Bonino, 2018. "Depression, Positive and Negative Affect, Optimism and Health-Related Quality of Life in Recently Diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis Patients: The Role of Identity, Sense of Coherence, and Self-efficacy," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 277-295, January.
    2. Michael Steger & Todd Kashdan, 2007. "Stability and specificity of meaning in life and life satisfaction over one year," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 8(2), pages 161-179, June.
    3. Rui-Ping Zhang & Li Tsingan, 2014. "Extraversion and Neuroticism Mediate Associations Between Openness, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness and Affective Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1377-1388, December.
    4. Michael Steger & Arissa Fitch-Martin & Jena Donnelly & Kathryn Rickard, 2015. "Meaning in Life and Health: Proactive Health Orientation Links Meaning in Life to Health Variables Among American Undergraduates," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 583-597, June.
    5. Piotr Oleś & Tomasz Jankowski, 2018. "Positive Orientation—a Common Base for Hedonistic and Eudemonistic Happiness?," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 13(1), pages 105-117, March.
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