A Study of the Relationship between Mitral Valve Prolapse and Personality Characteristics

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and personality characteristics. A sample of women with MVP was compared on the Cattell Sixteen Personality Factors Questionnaire (16 PF) with the norm group. The MVP group was found to be significantly different from the general population on a number of personality characteristics. The most important difference was in both first-and second-order anxiety and indicates the possibility that MVP patients may have more psychological difficulties than the general population. The importance of addressing the anxiety problem in the treatment of MVP is discussed.