Neuroticism and extraversion affect health-related quality of life of persons with epilepsy independently from depression and anxiety symptoms

Abstract Purpose We determined whether neuroticism and extraversion are associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) independently from other psychological factors in persons with epilepsy. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 357 adults with epilepsy. The Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31), short form of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and Stigma Scale for Epilepsy were used. A hierarchical linear regression analysis and Sobel test were performed. Results The final model explained 64.2% of the variance in the QOLIE-31. Demographic factors, entered in step 1 of the hierarchical linear regression, explained Conclusions Neuroticism is the third most important factor for HRQoL of persons with epilepsy, following depressive symptoms and anxiety. Both neuroticism and extraversion indirectly affect HRQoL through depressive symptoms.