Personality Differences in Dialysis and Non-Dialysis CKD Patients

Abstract

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive and life-altering condition that affects not only physiological functioning but also psychological adjustment and quality of life. While psychosocial distress in CKD populations has been widely documented, limited research has examined stable personality differences across treatment modalities. The present study investigated differences in personality traits between dialysis and non-dialysis (OPD) renal disease patients using the Five-Factor Model framework. A comparative cross-sectional design was employed. Personality traits—Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness—were assessed using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992). Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were conducted to examine group differences. Results indicated significant differences across most personality dimensions. Dialysis patients demonstrated higher Agreeableness, whereas OPD patients scored significantly higher on Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Openness. Findings suggest that treatment stage and modality may interact with enduring personality structures, influencing coping patterns and psychological adaptation. Integrating personality assessment into renal care may enhance psychosocial interventions and improve patient-centered outcomes. Implications for clinical psychology practice, multidisciplinary healthcare, and culturally sensitive intervention models are discussed.