The relationship between neuroticism, coping styles and emotions in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome: A moderated mediation analysis1

Abstract

Study participants are 46 women (age 23.48 ± 4.88 years) with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (M-R-K-H) syndrome. Occurrence of the M-R-K-H syndrome is one in 4000-5000 female children. It was investigated (a) whether coping styles mediate the effect of neuroticism (N) on positive (PA) and negative (NA) affect, and (b) whether this mediation is moderated by the level of N as well as (c) whether this moderated mediation is moderated by length of awareness of illness. Methods: Neuroticism, coping style as well as positive and negative emotions were assessed using the Polish version of NOE-FFI, CISS and Scale of Emotional State. Results: Emotion coping style fully (for PA) or partly (for NA) mediated the relationship between neuroticism and emotions and these mediations were moderated by the level of N. Additionally, direct effect of neuroticism on NA was moderated by the time for which a patient has been aware of the disease. Conclusions: The level of neuroticism and the length of illness are important factors for the psychological functioning of women with M-R-K-H Syndrome. In women with medium and high neuroticism, (positive) effect of N on NA was indirect and also direct - but only in those who have been aware of the diagnosis for 6 years or more. Relations with positive emotions were different: the indirect effect (negative) was observed only in women with a moderate and low neuroticism.