A controlled study of personality characteristics of mental disorders by NEO-PI-R

Objective: To explore the personality characters of patients with mental disorders and to determine the differences of dimension, trait level and model of personality between patients and normal subjects. Methods: The patients with mental disorders (n = 376) and normal subjects (n = 368) were assessed with revised NEO personal ty inventory(NEO-PI-R). Results: The mean scores of extrov rsion(E) and conscientiousness(C) of five-factor personality model of NEO-PI-R in patients were significant lower than those in normal group (P<0.001); and the mean score of neuroticism(N) of five-factor personality model of NEO-PI-R of neuroses was significantly higher than that of normal groups (P<0.001). There was a significant difference in thirty traits personality model and trait level between patients and normal subjects (P<0.001, or P<0.05). In addition, among different patients such as schizophrenias, depressive disorders, neuroses and mental disorders due to use of opioids, there were significant differences on extraversion (E), neuroticism(N) and conscientiousness(C) of five-factor personality model of NEO-PI-R and thirty traits personality model and trait level(P<0.001). Conclusion: The paper shows that there are differences in dimension, trait level and model of personality between patients and normal subjects. Although there are some differences in personality characters of patients with mental disorders, there are also something in common.