Affective Temperaments and Meteoropathy Among Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

The main goal of the study was to assess the relationship between affective temperaments and meteoropathy among women and examine meteorosensitivity as a mediator in this relationship. The issue of affective temperaments and meteoropathy has not been considered in the literature. The sample consisted of 450 Caucasian women gathered via the online recruitment platform. The participants' ages ranged from 18 to 70 years (M = 30.01; SD = 9.10). The Polish version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire was used to assess affective temperaments (depressive, cyclothymic, hyperthymic, irritable and anxious). Meteorosensitivity and meteoropathy were assessed using the Polish adaptation of the METEO-Q questionnaire. A large positive correlation was found between meteorosensitivity and meteoropathy. Medium positive correlations were found between meteorosensitivity/meteoropathy and cyclothymic and anxious temperaments. Small positive correlations were revealed between depressive and irritable temperaments and both meteorosensitivity and meteoropathy scales. No correlation was found between hyperthymic temperament and meteorosensitivity/meteoropathy. Mediation analyses indicated cyclothymic and anxious temperaments affected meteoropathy both directly and indirectly through meteorosensitivity as a mediator. The most severe meteoropathy symptoms in the studied sample were asthenia, an indefinite feeling of malaise and irritability. The results suggest affective temperaments may be related to meteoropathy symptoms in women.

Personality profiles and meteoropathy intensity: A comparative study between young and older adults

“…Among the older adults, however, the extracted personality profiles did not differ in meteorosensitivity or meteoropathy. Still, it should be noted that the older adults declared much higher meteorosensitivity and meteoropathy severity in comparison to the young adults, which was in line with our second hypothesis and other studies in this area [ 8 , 9 , 12 , 25 ]. The effect sizes of these differences were quite large (see Table 3 ), so we carefully assume that while personality profiles differed in both meteorosensitivity and meteoropathy levels in the young adult group, among older adults, meteorosensitivity and meteoropathy severity is high, and the seniors themselves vary so little with regard to these constructs that personality traits no longer matter.…”

“…Some studies have observed that two demographic factors particularly contribute to individual differences in meteorosensitivity, which are age [middle- and especially old-aged individuals; e.g., 8 , 9 ] and gender, with an overrepresentation of women in this regard [ 10 , 11 ]. Not all meteorosensitive people develop the pathological reactions that compose meteoropathy; nevertheless, until very recently the mechanism responsible for meteoropathology at all was not entirely known [ 12 ].…”

“…In addition, it should be underscored that many signs of meteoropathy reflect some mood disorders symptoms [ 7 ]. In line with this argument, it is vital to investigate the role of personality as a potential correlate of meteoropathy [ 12 ], especially from the Big Five taxonomy.…”

Weather and Aggressive Behavior among Patients in Psychiatric Hospitals—An Exploratory Study

“…It is fairly well accepted that weather conditions can impact health, both physiologically and psychologically. The number of meteoropathic people (excessively sensitive to weather) is rising dramatically [1]. It is estimated that in the mid-twentieth century, every third person reacted to weather changes; currently, this group represents about half of the population.…”

“…Strong weather stimuli may exacerbate symptoms in people with mental illnesses [1][2][3][4]. At such times, people sensitive to weather conditions may experience headaches and dizziness [5,6], changes in blood pressure [7], aggression [8], and accelerated heart rates [4].…”