Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of central nervous system (CNS), which causes many psychological problems. Therefore, the two concepts of prosperity and resiliency in people with MS are of great importance. Personality significantly deals with happiness and perseverance as most psychological responses, and the assessment of individuals about different situations depends on personality. The current study aimed at comparing the Myers-Briggs personality dimensions, happiness, and resilience in patients with MS.
Methods: The current scientific-comparative study was conducted on a statistical population including all patients enrolled in the MS Society of Ghowchan City, Khorasan Province, Iran from 2016 to 2017. The sample size was 66 subjects calculated using Morgan table. The subjects were selected by simple random sampling method. Data were collected using the Myers-Briggs personality type, happiness, and the Conner Davidson resiliency questionnaires. The results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a step-by-step manner.
Results: One-way ANONA showed a significant difference between sensing-intuitive and judging-perceiver dimensions in terms of feeling of happiness (P < 0.05). But, the difference between introverted-extravert and thinking-feeling dimensions in terms of feeling of happiness was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The difference between thinking-feeling dimensions in terms of resilience was statistically significant (P < 0.05), although the difference between the dimensions introverted-extravert, sensing-Intuitive, and judging-perceiver was not statistically significant in terms of resilience (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: According to the findings of the current research, there is a significant relationship between some aspects of personality and the level of happiness and resilience in patients with MS. Therefore, it is recommended to develop educational programs for such patients in order to improve their resilience and happiness based on Myers-Briggs personality dimensions questionnaire to recognize patients’ personality traits and preferences.