Relationships of personality factors to perceived stress, depression, and oral lichen planus severity

Abstract

Background: Purpose: The objective of this study is to examine relationships of hardiness and big five personality factors to depression, perceived stress, and oral lichen planus (OLP) severity. Method: Sixty Iranian patients with oral lichen planus completed measures of perceived stress, hardiness, big five, and depression. Results: Linear regressions revealed that control and challenge significantly predicted least perceived stress. On the contrary, big five factor of neuroticism predicted more perceived stress. Furthermore, control, commitment, and extraversion negatively predicted depression levels, but neuroticism positively predicted depression levels. Additionally, more levels of the challenge factor predicted fewer OLP scores while more levels of perceived stress predicted more OLP scores. Conclusion: The components of control challenge and neuroticism factors had a significant role in predicting perceived stress. On the other hand, the components of control and commitment and extraversion factors had a prominent role in predicting depression in patients with OLP, so personality constructs may have an effective role in triggering experience of stress, depression, and OLP itself. Additionally, interventions that enhance individual protective factors may be beneficial in reducing stress and depression in some severe diseases. © 2012 International Society of Behavioral Medicine.