The intensity of anxiety, neurotic symptoms and perceived control among patients with neurotic and personality disorders

Joanna Mostowik,Tadeusz Ostrowski,Krzysztof Rutkowski,Michał Mielimąka,Katarzyna Cyranka

doi:10.12740/app/80756

Abstract

Aim of the studyThe study aimed to determine the relationship between the intensity of anxiety, neurotic symptoms and perceived control using Bryant’s model - A Four-Factor Model of Perceived Control. The goal of the study was also to describe the structure of perceived control among patients with neurotic and personality disorders.Subject or material and methodsThe study included 49 patients with neurotic disorders, personality disorders or coexistence of neurotic and personality disorders from the Department of Psychotherapy University Hospital in Krakow. Used the following tools: the Symptom Checklist KO “O”, the Neurotic Personality Questionnaire KON-2006, the Polish adaptation of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory STAI, the Bryant’s Questionnaire of Perceived Control.ResultsThe intensity of neurotic personality and anxiety-trait are significantly negatively associated with most indicators of perceived control.DiscussionIn the literature there are some findings showing association of perceived control with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and even psychotic states. To date, Rotter’s one-dimensional Scale has been used in most studies (internal versus external Locus of Control). The conducted research enables researchers to broaden the perspective of the perceived control, adding cognitive control and emotional control over positive events as well as aversive one.ConclusionsMost of the various factors of perceived control are related to some extent to the personality structure, which is responsible for occurrence of neurotic disorders, and to some extent to anxiety-trait – an important predictor for neurotic disorders. The results presented are relevant to patients suffer from neurotic symptoms and diagnosed with neurotic disorders and personality disorders according to ICD-10 criteria.

Highlights

The results presented in this paper form part of a research project titled “Psychological determinants of time perspective among patients with neurotic symptoms”, realized at the Institute of Applied Psychology of Jagiellonian University in Krakow and the Department of Psychotherapy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, Poland
Most of the various factors of perceived control are related to some extent to the personality structure, which is responsible for the occurrence of neurotic disorders, and to some extent to anxiety trait – an important predictor for neurotic disorders
The results presented are relevant to patients suffering from neurotic symptoms and diagnosed with neurotic disorders and personality disorders according to ICD-10 criteria

Summary

Introduction

As well as a sense of coherence, optimism, self-esteem, self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, hardiness and resilience, is one of the personality characteristic defined as psychological resources or health potential [1] It refers to the degree a person believes in their ability to influence the events of daily life and to their attitude towards the world around them, themselves and an assessment of their own capabilities. Attributional style is a relatively individual and constant way of describing one’s successes and failures [5], i.e. people may attribute their successes and failures to internal or external causes, long-term or shortterm consequences, and affecting all situations or a particular one Both constructs – perceived control and attributional style – are important factors in vulnerability to learned helplessness [6] and depression [7]. This paper is primarily focused on the construct of perceived control and its role in the psychopathology of neurotic disorders

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