Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate temperament and character traits in patients with conversion disorder
and the relation of these traits with dissociative symptoms.
Subjects and methods: Sixty patients (60) diagnosed with conversion disorder according to DSM-IV-TR and 60 healthy
volunteers were included in the study. All participants’ temperament and character traits were determined using Cloninger’s
Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Patients with conversion disorder were divided into two subgroups using the
Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), dissociative (n=30, 50%) and non-dissociative (n=30, 50%). The two conversion disorder
subgroups were compared with the control group in terms of temperament and character traits. Correlation analysis was also
performed between TCI and DES scores in the entire conversion group.
Results: Novelty seeking (NS) scores were lower in both the dissociative and non-dissociative groups compared to the control
group. Harm avoidance (HA) scores were higher in the dissociative group than in the control group. Reward dependence (RD)
scores were lower in the dissociative group than in the non-dissociative and control group. Self-directedness (SD) scores were lower
in the dissociative group than in the control group. Self-transcendence (ST) scores were higher in the dissociative group than in the
non-dissociative group. DES scores were negatively correlated with RD and SD scores in the entire conversion group and positively
correlated with ST scores.
Conclusions: Low NS temperament traits may be associated with conversion disorder. High HA and low RD temperament traits
and low SD and high ST character traits may be associated with pathological dissociation in patients with conversion disorder