External and internal orientation of personality of patient with a severe somatic disease

Abstract

This article reveals the features of externality-internality in the context of experiencing a high-intensity stressor making a diagnosis that is associated with a threat to life. Part of the results of a comprehensive research project aimed at studying people diagnosed with meningioma (n = 64, from 30 to 70 years of age, Me = 54) is presented. All respondents signed an informed consent form before starting the study. Methods: Freiburg Personality Inventory, World Assumptions Scale, Impact of Event Scale. We used median analysis, K-means method, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Mann-Whitney U test (p < 0.05). The results show that in a difficult life situation associated with the diagnosis of meningioma, people with an external orientation, sociable and socially courageous, have low rates of posttraumatic stress and are characterised by a high degree of self-regulation, control, positive self-acceptance and a focus on justice, which is not typical for people who are shy, unsociable, and prone to an internal orientation. Ambivalent style, which includes different communication strategies, is typical for people with moderate rates of psychotraumatisation, lower self-regulation and self-rejection.