Personality traits: an important factor affecting fear of movement in dialysis patients

Abstract

Background: This study investigated predictive factors and personality determinants of kinesiophobia (fear of movement) in dialysis patients. Methods: Using the Chinese versions of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI-C) and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart (TSK-SV heart), we assessed 329 patients from December 2022 to February 2023. The influencing factors of fear of movement were identified by univariate analysis and multiple linear regression.

Results: The mean score of fear of movement for dialysis patients was 45.128 (45.128 ± 7.023). Multiple linear regression revealed that advanced age,local medical insurance, and lower education significantly predicted higher kinesiophobia scores, while exercise habits, being married, alcohol and tobacco use served as protective factors. Personality analysis demonstrated that lower extraversion, emotional stability, and conscientiousness were associated with greater kinesiophobia.

Conclusions: Personality determinants were significantly associated with fear of movement. These findings emphasize the clinical utility of personality assessment in identifying high-risk patients and personalizing rehabilitation strategies for this vulnerable population.

Keywords: conscientiousness; dialysis; emotional stability; extraversion; openness to experience; personality.

Figure 1

Forest plots of final multivariable linear regression models for (A) Fear of Movement total score and (B-E) its subscales. Unstandardized coefficients (B) with 95% confidence intervals are shown for significant predictors retained in the final model, selected from candidate variables with p<0.05 in univariate analyses. Continuous variables represent the change in outcome per unit increase (e.g., age: 1 year). Categorical variables are relative to reference groups: Education (ref: Bachelor degree or above), Exercise (ref: yes), Marital status (ref: Married), Medical insurance (ref: Local), Alcohol and tobacco use (ref: yes). The vertical line indicates null effect (B=0). Panel descriptions: (A) Fear of Movement total score. (B) Danger. (C) Fear. (D) Avoidance. (E) Dysfunction. Initial candidate variables not retained in the final model were included in model building but did not reach significance (p≥0.05).