Posttraumatic stress disorder and general health problems following myocardial infarction (Post-MI PTSD) among older patients: the role of personality.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to: (1) investigate the degree to which older MI patients experienced post-MI PTSD and general health problems, and to (2) identify the association between five personality traits, post-MI PTSD and general health problems among these older people.

METHODS: The sample comprised 96 older MI patients and were recruited from two general practices. They were interviewed using the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS), the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). The control group comprised 92 older people who experienced no MI. They were assessed using the GHQ-28.

RESULTS: The older MI patients experienced hyperarousal the most, followed by avoidance and re-experiencing symptoms. PDS revealed that 30% had full PTSD. The older patients were conscientious and agreeable individuals. They were also somewhat extraverted and open to experience. They also showed traits of neuroticism. Controlling for bypass surgery, heart failure, previous mental health difficulties, angina and angioplasty, regression analyses showed that neuroticism predicted re-experiencing and avoidance symptoms and general health total. Neuroticism and less agreeableness predicted hyperarousal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: MI older patients could manifest PTSD symptoms and general health problems following their MI. Personality traits, particularly neuroticism and antagonism, played a role in the manifestation of these symptoms.