PP1416 - The Influence of Personality on Vestibular Symptoms and Quality of Life

Abstract:
The Big Five personality traits—openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, negative emotionality, and agreeableness—are linked to outcomes like hearing loss and tinnitus, but their association with vestibular perception is less studied. This study examined the relationship between these traits and subjective balance reports through an online survey of 267 participants. Significant negative correlations were found between extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and subjective balance reports, while increased negative emotionality correlated positively with these reports. This presentation will discuss how these personality traits impact quality-of-life for dizzy patients and suggest tailored counseling strategies.

Summary:
Rationale/Purpose
The Big Five personality traits (open mindedness, conscientiousness, extraversion, negative emotionality, agreeableness) have been found to be associated with a variety of outcome measures and impairments, including auditory impairments such as hearing loss and tinnitus (Cox et al., 2007; Langguth et al., 2007; McCormack et al., 2014; Simões et al., 2019). Although the associations between Big Five personality traits and auditory impairment have been explored, there is little available information on the association between personality traits and vestibular perception and function, despite evidence of anatomical connections between certain personality traits and central vestibular structures, even in healthy adults (Indovina et al., 2014). Due to the documented effects of anxiety on the vestibular system, research examining the effects of personality traits, namely the Big Five traits, is needed to fill the current gap in research. The current study aimed to fill a gap in the literature by determining if personality traits are associated with subjective balance reports. It was hypothesized that increased negative emotionality and decreased extraversion will be correlated with increased perceived balance difficulties.

Methods
An online survey regarding participant demographics, personality traits, vestibular-related symptoms, and vestibular-related quality of life was distributed to 267 participants to determine the relationship between subjective balance difficulties and personality traits. Personality traits were assessed via the Big Five Inventory 2 (BFI-2), vestibular-related symptoms were assessed via the Vestibular Symptom Scale short form (VSS-sf), and vestibular-related quality of life was assessed via the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Pearson’s correlations were utilized to determine significance of relationships.

Results & Conclusions
Statistical analysis revealed statistically significant negative correlations (p < .05) between the personality traits of extraversion and its facet of assertiveness and the overall DHI and VSS-sf scores. Additionally, statistically significant negative correlations were observed between agreeableness and its facet of respectfulness the overall DHI and VSS-sf scores. Similarly, conscientiousness and its facets of productiveness and responsibility and the overall DHI and VSS-sf scores. Lastly, negative emotionality and its facets of anxiety, depression, and emotional volatility produced statistically significant positive correlations with the overall DHI and VSS-sf scores. These results show that individuals with increased levels of vestibular symptoms or increased dizziness-related handicap have decreased social lives, do not get along as well with other individuals, have decreased conscientiousness/productivity, and have increased levels of anxiety and depression, all of which are likely due to the unpredictability of dizziness attacks and symptoms which can cause an individual to decrease their time away from home, decrease exercise, etc.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
The clinical takeaway of this session is to consider a dizzy patient’s personality traits during assessment and counseling. Clinicians can encourage socialization, healthy relationships, productivity, and strategies to reduce anxiety and depression, such as psychological therapy, to enhance the quality of life for these patients.

Assumptions
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