Personality and Locus of Control among Individuals Diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship and differences between personality (Big 5 personality traits) and locus of control in individuals diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. They are characterized by emotional instability, impulsivity and interpersonal problems. There have been several studies on the variables distinctly, but the interplay of the variables in this particular population have not been studied effectively. A sample of 60 participants were selected from different psychiatric hospitals in Kerala, Chethana Centre for Neuropsychiatry, Malaparamba and ST. Vincent hospital, Thuvayoor, who were split equally, with 30 from bipolar group and 30 from borderline group. Standardized tests were used for the study- John, Donahue and Kentles Big Five Inventory (BFI,1991) and Locus of Control scale by Sony & Sananda Raj (1997). Simple random sampling was utilized in the study. Pearson correlation and independent sample T-test were employed. Results revealed that there is a significant relationship between the variables openness and external LOC, conscientiousness and internal LOC, conscientiousness and external LOC, extraversion and internal LOC, agreeableness and external LOC and neuroticism and internal LOC and there is a significant difference between the variables conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, internal LOC and external LOC where individuals diagnosed with bipolar scoring higher that borderline.