International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2023 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. Psychology ORIGINAL RESEARCH The Personality Traits of Family Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia: The Effects of Social Anxiety, Social Phobia, and Caregiving Hours Authors’ Contribution: A – Study design; Serra L. 1,2 ABCDEF , Serpa D. 3 BDF , Silva L. 4 ADE B – Data collection; 1 Autonomous University of Lisbon, Portugal C – Statistical analysis; 2 Centre of Statistics and its Applications of the University of Lisbon, Portugal D – Data interpretation; 3 Higher Institute of Intercultural and Transdisciplinary Studies of Almada – E – Manuscript preparation; Piaget Institute of Almada, Portugal F – Literature search; 4 NOVA School of Science and Technology – NOVA University Lisbon, Portugal G – Funds collection Received: 04.08.2023; Accepted: 25.08.2023; Published: 25.12.2023 Abstract Background and Caring for individuals afflicted with dementia engenders substantial demands Aim of Study: and responsibilities for caregivers, encompassing the extensive time allocation devoted to the care recipient on a daily basis. Furthermore, the psychological attributes inherent in informal caregivers, encompassing traits like social anxiety and social phobia, can exert an influence on the evolution of their personal dynamics over time. This phenomenon potentially yields repercussions for how caregivers offer guidance and assistance to elderly individuals grappling with dementia, particularly in relation to their fundamental daily activities and instrumental tasks. The aim of the study: to analyze the predictive effect of social anxiety and social phobia as psychological characteristics of caregivers, along with the impact of caregiving hours as caregiving-related characteristics, on caregivers’ personality. Material and Methods: This observational and cross-sectional study comprised a sample of 97 participants serving as primary family caregivers completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Big Five Inventory, the Anxiety Scale in Social Interaction Situations, and the Social Phobia Scale. Results: The findings revealed that social phobia demonstrated significant predictive power for Openness (β=-0.199; p=0.016) and Extraversion (β=-0.136; p=0.024), whereas the daily caregiving hours negatively affected Conscientiousness (β=- 0.145; p=0.011), Agreeableness (β=-0.137; p=0.040), Openness (β=-0.210; p=0.011), and Extraversion (β=-0.175; p=0.003). Conversely, social anxiety did not prove to be a significant variable. Conclusions: The presence of social phobia or higher hours devoted to caregiving for individuals with dementia are factors that impact personality functioning and should be considered in the planning of support programs for family caregivers. Keywords: personality, informal caregivers, dementia, social phobia, social anxiety Copyright: © 2023 Serra L., Serpa D., Silva L. Published by Archives of International Journal of Science Annals DOI and UDC DOI https://doi.org/10.26697/ijsa.2023.2.3 UDC 159.9.072 Conflict of interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests Peer review: Double-blind review Source of support: This research did not receive any outside funding or support Information about Serra Lidia (Corresponding Author) – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2612-3335; the authors: lmserra@autonoma.pt; Doctor in Neuropsychology, Professor, Autonomous University of Lisbon; Centre of Statistics and its Applications of the University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal. Serpa Daniela – https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1423-6930; Master’s degree in Clinical and Health Psychology, Higher Institute of Intercultural and Transdisciplinary Studies of Almada – Piaget Institute of Almada, Portugal. Silva Luís – https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9811-0571; Doctor in Human Kinetics – Motor Behavior, Investigator, NOVA School of Science and Technology – NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal. 32 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2023 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa Introduction of individuals with dementia. In their study, where Dementia is a brain disorder that affects the functioning caregivers spent approximately 12.2 hours per day on of the nervous system and, consequently, impairs caregiving, when they used adaptive strategies with the cognitive functions such as memory, language, patient (e.g., guiding the patient), the care provided to reasoning, among others. According to the World Health the individual with dementia was positive. Conversely, Organization (2015), in 2015, an estimated 47.5 million when caregivers used maladaptive strategies that were people were affected by this neurological condition, and poorly suited to caregiving (e.g., confronting the this number is expected to increase over time due to patient), the quality of care was negatively affected. The population aging. The progressive nature of this disease presence of neuroticism may lead individuals to leads to the patient also losing social, functional, and experience greater difficulty in coping with stressful, behavioral abilities, necessitating supervision and uncomfortable, or anxiety-inducing situations (Ji et al., support from caregivers. Informal caregivers are 2022; Karaaslan et al., 2020), consequently negatively predominantly family members, often women, such as impacting the lives of those dependent on caregiving. wives or daughters, who provide assistance with various This highlights the association between anxiety and daily tasks to the patient (e.g., hygiene, dressing, or individuals’ personality traits. The presence of anxiety feeding), dedicating several hours per day, without leads individuals to exhibit restlessness due to receiving monetary compensation for their efforts. apprehensive anticipation of future situations (Ji et al., Caregivers offer essential support not only in terms of 2022). In the case of social anxiety, individuals perceive basic and instrumental activities of daily living but also exposure to social interactions as problematic. assume the responsibility of enhancing psychological Consequently, they tend to avoid such situations, which well-being and quality of life for the patients (Serra et they perceive as threatening and where they might al., 2018; Silva et al., 2013). The demand for informal become the focus of others’ attention (Morais et al., caregivers seems to be escalating, with a projected 2008). When the fear of these situations is experienced estimate of 21.5 million caregivers by the year 2030, intensely, it can also manifest as social phobia. The with caregivers expected to dedicate at least 20 hours per presence of social phobia causes irrational fears and week to caregiving responsibilities (Silva et al., 2013). negative thoughts to impact individuals’ functionality Providing care for an individual with dementia (Barlow, 2003), and a marked lack of sociability necessitates empathy, flexibility, and patience; however, becomes prevalent in avoidant personality disorder the approach taken by caregivers in executing their (Pellecchia et al., 2018). Indeed, the existence of caregiving duties may also correlate with their comorbidity between social phobia and avoidant personality traits (Melo et al., 2011). The psychological personality disorder has been observed (Wittchen & characteristics that underlie one’s way of thinking, Fehm, 2001), as well as a relationship between social feeling, and acting, as well as the patterns found in phobia, shyness, and avoidant personality disorder attitudes and behaviors, define their personality (Flores- (Botella et al., 2003), or a positive correlation between Mendoza & Colom, 2006). According to the Five Factor social anxiety and neuroticism, and a negative Model, the personality traits are extraversion, correlation with extroversion (Kaplan et al., 2015). agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and However, the predictive effects of social phobia and openness to experience. Each trait represents a social anxiety on different personality traits of continuum where each individual positions themselves, caregivers remain unknown. Additionally, personality helping to define their personality (Schultz & Schultz, has also been associated with variables such as the 2021; Tew et al., 2013) demonstrated that the presence patient’s health status (Suso-Ribera et al., 2019), of conscientiousness is associated with better physical, depression (Tavares et al., 2020), and caregiver burden psychological, and social quality of life, while the (Kim et al., 2016; Tavares et al., 2020). Burden may presence of extraversion promotes better mental health manifest in later stages of caregiving, for instance, in among individuals. On the other hand, higher levels of female caregivers who dedicate 20 hours per week to neuroticism negatively affect physical health, mental caring for individuals with dementia, indicating that the well-being, social relationships, and environmental time devoted to caregiving also has negative effects on aspects. The caregiver’s neuroticism for a person with caregivers’ lives (Swinkels et al., 2019). However, it is dementia has a negative impact on their family not yet known how the time spent on caregiving may functioning, while extraversion, agreeableness, and impact caregivers’ personality functioning, despite conscientiousness have a positive impact on the same acknowledging that personality can also undergo family functioning (Tavares et al., 2020). Throughout changes over time (Boyce et al., 2015). In light of this, the caregiving process, caregivers with traits such as our study hypothesis posits that social phobia and social optimism, extraversion, conscientiousness, and anxiety may be important predictors of personality traits openness tend to employ more engagement coping in family caregivers of individuals with dementia, and strategies in dealing with daily situations, whereas the that the hours of care provided may also exert a similar presence of neuroticism is associated with effect. disengagement coping (Carver & Connor-Smith, 2010). The aim of the study. To investigate how social phobia, Melo et al. (2016) found that the presence of various social anxiety, and daily caregiving hours significantly personality traits in caregivers leads them to use influence the personality characteristics of informal different strategies in handling the behavioral changes family caregivers of patients with dementia. 33 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2023 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa Materials and Methods interest in participating and becoming acquainted with Participants the study was expressed, working meetings were Ninety-seven participants of both sexes were included in scheduled, during which the study’s objectives were this study, with 77.3% being women and 22.7% being presented. With the collaboration of these institutions, men. The participants identified themselves as primary family caregivers of individuals with dementia were informal caregivers for individuals with dementia and subsequently approached. Those family caregivers who their ages ranged from 20 to 72 years, with a mean age willingly agreed to participate in the study proceeded to of 45.91 (±13.37) years. On average, they provided sign an informed consent form, emphasizing the 10.56 (±8.33) hours of daily care to the person with voluntary nature of their involvement, and assuring dementia. The average weekly leisure hours for the them of the absence of any health risks associated with caregiver are 8.12 (±9.42). Among the sample, 61.9% their participation. The researchers made a commitment are children of the person with dementia, 3.1% are to adhere to all ethical and deontological responsibilities siblings, 2.1% are sons-in-law, 5.2% are spouses, 6.2% of the investigation, which were duly communicated to are nephews/nieces, and 21.6% have another degree of the participants. The study protocol was administered in relationship. Furthermore, 77.3% of caregivers provide a comfortable and well-lit room belonging to the multiple types of care (e.g., feeding, hygiene, shopping) collaborating institutions or through online tools, to the person with dementia, while 22.7% are adapting the data collection method to the caregivers’ responsible for only one type of care. Regarding the availability. gender distribution of individuals with dementia, 67% Data Analysis are female, and 33% are male. Most individuals with For the analysis of the collected data, the Statistical dementia are widows (61.9%) and have completed Package for the Social Sciences, version 29 for primary education (4 years of schooling) (42.3%). Windows (IBM, SPSS Statistics 29) was used. Initially, Additionally, 51.5% of individuals with dementia have the data were examined through descriptive statistics, a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, 6.2% have including frequencies and percentages for categorical vascular dementia, and 42.3% have other types of variables and means and standard deviations for dementia (e.g., Parkinson’s disease dementia, Lewy numerical variables. The correlation between variables body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia). The was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, patients have an average diagnosis time of 6.06 (±5.99) and statistical assumptions such as homogeneity of years. Among them, 83.5% live with the caregiver, variance and normal distribution of the sample were while 16.5% live alone. The inclusion criteria for checked. To investigate the predictive effect, both caregivers in this study considered those who were simple and multiple linear regression models were responsible for patients with a clinical diagnosis of employed to estimate the magnitude and direction of the dementia. impact of independent variables on caregivers’ Measures personality dimensions. Only independent variables that As measurement instruments, a sociodemographic demonstrated significant correlations with personality questionnaire was used to collect data from caregivers dimensions were included in the regression models. The (age, hours of caregiving, etc.). The Big Five Inventory assumptions of the regression models were also verified. (Portuguese version by Brito-Costa et al., 2015) was A significance level of p-value <0.05 was adopted to employed to assess caregivers’ personality across five determine statistical significance. dimensions through 44 items: Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Results Neuroticism. The instrument is rated on a Likert-type Correlation between Personality Traits, Caregiver’s scale, with scores ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to Age, Hours of Daily Care, Social Phobia, and Social 5 (Strongly Agree). Higher scores indicate a greater Anxiety presence of these traits in the subjects. The internal The dimension of openness exhibits a significant consistency of the instrument yielded satisfactory values negative relationship with hours of daily care (r=-0.249, (α=0.78). The social anxiety scale in social interaction p=0.014), a significant negative correlation with social contexts, comprising 19 items, and the social phobia phobia (r=-0.276, p=0.006), and a significant correlation scale, consisting of 20 items (Portuguese version by with social anxiety (r=-0.201, p=0.049). However, no Pinto-Gouveia & Salvador, 2001), were employed. The significant relationship was found between this first scale was utilized to assess caregivers’ levels of dimension and caregiver’s age (r=0.018, p=0.861). The social anxiety, while the second scale aimed to evaluate dimension of conscientiousness exhibits a significant social phobia. The assessment of these instruments was negative relationship with hours of daily care (r=-0.257, based on a 4-point Likert-type scale, with higher scores p=0.011). However, it does not show a statistically indicating higher levels of social anxiety and social significant relationship with social phobia (r=-0.050, phobia. The psychometric characteristics of the scales p=0.625), social anxiety (r=-0.043, p=0.673), nor were considered good, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90 caregiver’s age (r=-0.075, p=0.464). The dimension of and good discriminant validity. extraversion exhibits a significant negative relationship Procedure with hours of daily care (r=-0.297, p=0.003), social In the initial phase, the representatives of informal phobia (r=-0.287, p=0.004), and social anxiety caregiver support institutions were contacted. Once their (r=-0.225, p=0.027). However, this dimension does not 34 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2023 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa show a statistically significant relationship with social anxiety (r=0.146, p=0.153), nor caregiver’s age caregiver’s age (r=0.050, p=0.626). The dimension of (r=0.092, p=0.371). agreeableness has a significant negative relationship Prediction of Personality Dimensions with hours of daily care (r=-0.209, p=0.040). It does not The variables that previously correlated significantly have a statistically significant relationship with social with the personality dimensions were considered in the phobia (r=-0.082, p=0.426), social anxiety (r=-0.057, regression models. Table 1 represents the prediction p=0.578), nor caregiver’s age (r=0.101, p=0.323). The effect using the simple linear regression model, and dimension of neuroticism does not have a statistically Table 2 shows the prediction effect using the multiple significant relationship with hours of daily care linear regression model. (r=-0.100, p=0.328), social phobia (r=0.124, p=0.228), Table 1 Prediction of Conscientiousness and Agreeableness Regression models B SE P Conscientiousness Model 1 (R2=25.7%) Hours of daily care -0.145 0.056 0.011* Agreeableness Model 2 (R2=20.9%) Hours of daily care -0.137 0.066 0.040* Note. B – unstandardized Beta Coefficients; SE – standard error (unstandardized Coefficients); P – p-value (*0.05). Table 2 Prediction Effects of Openness and Extraversion Regression Models B SE P Openness Model 1 (R2=38.4%) Hours of daily care -0.201 0.077 0.011* Social phobia -0.199 0.081 0.016* Social anxiety 0.132 0.098 0.182 Extraversion Model 2 (R2=41.4%) Hours of daily care -0.175 0.056 0.003* Social phobia -0.136 0.059 0.024* Social anxiety 0.078 0.072 0.277 Note. B – unstandardized Beta Coefficients; SE – standard error (unstandardized Coefficients); P – p-value (*0.05). Discussion et al., 2014). However, individuals with higher levels of The aim of the study was to investigate whether extraversion may demonstrate greater difficulties with characteristics such as social phobia, social anxiety, or attention and concentration on the tasks they must hours of daily care could serve as predictors of perform (Cloninger, 2013), which could have a negative personality dimensions in informal caregivers of influence on caregiving. Nevertheless, the negative individuals with dementia. Our results revealed that only effects caused by the presence of social phobia may vary social phobia and hours of daily care were significant depending on whether it is non-generalized social phobia, variables in predicting Openness and Extraversion. where the impact of this condition is less severe, or Additionally, hours of daily care were also found to be generalized social phobia with comorbidity with avoidant predictors of Conscientiousness and Agreeableness personality disorder, where problems are more among caregivers. Specifically, our findings revealed pronounced and affect social interactions and the that the presence of social phobia negatively affects negative interpretation of received stimuli (Kessler, caregivers’ openness to experience and extraversion. In 2003). Our results also demonstrate that the number of fact, the presence of phobic characteristics, such as hours spent in daily caregiving for individuals with negative thoughts, negative self-images, or fear of dementia negatively affects caregivers’ personality traits, failure, hinders individuals from understanding or namely their conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness accepting positive stimuli from others and circumstances to experience, and extraversion. According to the study (Calderón & Blázquez, 2014). Social phobia prevents by Tew et al. (2013), a longer duration of caregiving and them from arousing curiosity, a desire to enjoy new a greater number of hours dedicated to caregiving harm experiences and sensations, which are characteristic of caregivers’ physical and mental health, social openness to experience, or from exhibiting greater relationships, and environmental quality of life. A higher sociability, assertiveness, or a spirit of adventure, which number of caregiving hours restricts individuals from characterize extraversion (Feixas, 2019; Pedroso de Lima engaging in new activities and having time to express 35 International Journal of Science Annals, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2023 рrint ISSN: 2617-2682; online ISSN: 2707-3637; DOI:10.26697/ijsa their ideas or creative freedom in other situations. The Conclusions negative impact of caregiving hours on extraversion Key conclusions to highlight include that social phobia influences the sociability of individuals and reduces their demonstrates a significant impact on individuals who energy in pursuing new challenges (Cloninger, 2013). On exhibit pronounced traits of personality encompassing the other hand, when there is higher extraversion, Openness and Extraversion. Furthermore, an increased individuals with dementia may benefit more from number of hours devoted to caring for individuals with caregiving, as caregivers are more readily available to dementia exerts a notable influence on individuals provide patients with new stimuli and activities that help displaying evident traits of Conscientiousness, delay the effects of cognitive deterioration caused by the Agreeableness, Openness, and Extraversion that disease (Norton et al., 2013), and enable them to characterize their personality. positively express their emotions (Rabins et al., 1990). However, despite the study by Hajek & Konig (2018) Acknowledgments finding a positive association between the number of We are grateful to all study participants and hours informal caregivers dedicate to caregiving and collaborators. conscientiousness, according to our results, we can infer that dedicating more hours to caregiving may Ethical Approval compromise caregivers’ levels of organization, planning, This study received approval from the scientific council and even responsibility, which are characteristics of of the Higher Institute of Intercultural and conscientiousness, as well as their levels of confidence, Transdisciplinary Studies of Almada. empathy, or cooperation, which characterize their agreeableness. 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It can be found online in the IJSA Archive https://ijsa.culturehealth.org/en/arhiv This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en). 38