Parkinsons's disease. Psychological determinants of quality of life

PhD ceremony: Ms. T. Dubayova, 14.45 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Thesis: Parkinsons's disease. Psychological determinants of quality of life

Promotor(s): prof. J.W. Groothoff

Faculty: Medical Sciences

There are many studies, which are focused on measurement the quality of life (QoL) of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), but studies about psychological factors associated with QoL in those patients are scarce. The research was focused on personality (extraversion, neuroticism, type D personality, negative affectivity and social inhibition) and mood disorders (depression, anxiety) as factors associated directly with QoL of PD patients or indirectly - through patient’s delay. A higher score in extraversion was significantly associated with better emotional well-being in males, but surprisingly, with worse emotional well-being in females. Type D was negatively associated with overall QoL in PD patients and with all dimensions except mobility, activities of daily living and bodily discomfort. In women, a higher NA explained the higher dissatisfaction with social support. Non-delayers scored higher in extroversion, which was associated also with better scores in physical and mental health summary score. Results showed, that social interactions, associated with an extrovertly oriented personality, can force decision making on help-seeking. Type D personality was associated with both dimensions of QoL - physical and mental health summary score in PD patients, but this association disappeared in the mental dimension when the variables anxiety and depression were added to the model. Quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease can be partially explained by personality traits and also the gender aspect of quality of life and actual mood disorders appeared to be an important topics contributing to the knowledge about QoL in PD patients.