Personality Traits Affecting Vocational Rehabilitation Success in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Item analysis of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory responses of 147 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease produced 48 items associated with three levels of post-hospital vocational adjustment, and with death. A subgroup of vocational rehabilitation candidates provided insights to the psychological processes underlying successful outcome. Those who worked more than six months following hospitalization were more gregarious and used more denial than other patients. Those who did not work at all were more anxious and had lower self-confidence. Patients who died within a year had shown a charitable philosophical orientation'.