Benue State University, Makurdi

PERSONALITY TRAITS, SEX DIFFERENCE, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG CAREGIVERS OF STROKE PATIENTS AT FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER, MAKURDI

Victor Odeh Ojobo, Fidelis Kave, Loreen Orishedere, Lilian Ojobo Ali, Thompson Onah, Okwoli James Matthew, Uchenna Gerald Eze, & Joseph Gbaden Atsaka
(Department of Psychology, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria +2347062663826, uchoaondoaver@yahoo.com)

Abstract

The study examines personality traits, sex differences and psychological distress among caregivers of stroke patients at Federal Medical Centre Makurdi. Survey design and convenience sampling technique were adopted for the study. 378 participants took part in the study and responded to the Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21) to measure personality traits and psychological distress respectively. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis and independent t test. The results of the study indicate that, there is a significant joint influence of personality traits on psychological distress among caregivers of stroke 2 patients at Federal Medical Centre Makurdi (R = .610 = R = .372 (F (5,391) = 44.109, t = 5.631, p? .05). Independently, agreeableness and conscientiousness negatively and significantly contributed to psychological distress. While, openness to experience, neuroticism, and extraversion positively and significantly contributed to psychological distress among caregivers of stroke patients at Federal Medical Centre Makurdi. (â = -.111, p? .05; â = -.091, p? .05; â = .181, p? .05; â = .328, p? .05; â = .428, p? .05). The results also indicate that, there is no significant difference between male and female caregivers of stroke patients on psychological distress at Federal Medical Centre Makurdi (t (376) = .423, p >.05). It was concluded that personality traits influenced psychological distress but, sex difference has no influence on psychological distress. Therefore, it is stated among other recommendations that, clinical psychological services is an important aspect of hospital services that should not be limited to the patients alone but, be extended to the caregivers of patients to help them cope with the stress of caregiving especially for stroke patients in the hospital.

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