Personality traits in a group of severely obese patients: a study of patients in two self-chosen weight reducing programs

Abstract

The Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP) test, were used in 98 obese patients. Both female and male patients showed higher scores in Somatic anxiety, Muscular tension, Impulsiveness, Monotony avoidance and lower scores in Socialization when compared to control groups for each sex. The obese patients were given the choice of treatment with either a combined behavioural modification program or jaw fixation. These groups differed significantly with regard to Psychasthenia, with higher scores in those who chose behavioural treatment, and to Monotony avoidance with higher scores in those who chose jaw fixation.