Relationship Between Hypochondriacal Concerns and Personality Dimensions and Traits in a Military Population

Abstract

Our aim was to examine the relationship between personality dimensions and hypochondriacal concerns and somatic symptoms in a military population. The Schedule of Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality along with measures of hypochondriacal concerns and somatic symptoms were administered to 602 military veterans who had been on active duty during the 1991 Gulf War. Factor analyses identified six separable dimensions-two of hypochondriacal concerns, two of somatic symptoms, and two of possible mechanisms of symptom generation-for study. Multiple regression models determined the proportion of variation in these measures of somatic distress explained by personality scales. Personality measures explained between 26% and 38% of the variance in hypochondriacal concerns and somatic symptoms, and Negative Temperament accounted for most of this. Moderately strong positive correlations were observed between trait scales Mistrust, Low Self-Esteem, and Eccentric Perceptions and the various measures of somatic distress. Thus, when Negative Temperament was taken into account, few significant correlations between personality measures and hypochondriacal concerns or somatic symptoms remained. Negative temperament or neuroticism is strongly associated with hypochondriacal concerns. Important features of hypochondriasis and somatic distress appear to lie within the domain of personality. It remains for future research to show whether negative temperament is a vulnerability factor for hypochondriasis or hypochondriasis is itself a personality disorder.

Distinguishing between Hypochondriasis and Somatization Disorder: A Review of the Existing Literature

“…However, women do not appear to be at greater risk than men [55, 56]. Several studies have found persons with hypochondriasis and illness worry to be older [53, 57, 58] and to have more physical illness [49, 57, 59, 60], although others have not [61, 62]. Two studies found an association between hypochondriasis and lower education [34, 46].…”

“…Individuals high on neuroticism and the related dimensions of harm avoidance and negative affectivity experience more negative life events and are more likely to develop somatic and psychological symptoms [83]. These dimensions appear as important in hypochondriasis as in somatic symptoms [49, 84]. Few studies have examined personality dimensions in somatization disorder.…”

“…A recent study found different correlates of somatic symptoms and hypochondriacal concerns in a non-clinical population [49]. Subjects were veterans of the first Gulf War, many of whom reported unexplained symptoms.…”

Chronic Widespread Pain in Veterans of the First Gulf War: Impact of Deployment Status and Associated Health Effects

“…18,39 This cohort has been well characterized and the methods validated in a series of manuscripts. 3,6,[8][9][10][11]17,22,35,36,41,44 …”

Diagnostic and treatment interventions for hypochondriasis in the neurology setting

“…Introverts tend to overreact to stress, have a tendency to experience bodily sensations as noxious, and perceive lack of social support. Given the correlations of hypochondriasis with these personality traits, it has been suggested that hypochondriasis may be thought of as a personality disorder [14,Class II].…”