Gender-specific associations between personality traits and mental health status of intensive care unit patients’ family members

Abstract

Objective Family Intensive Care Unit Syndrome (FICUS) is a psychological and emotional stress experienced by patients' families during the patient's admission to the hospital and is influenced by a variety of factors. Our aim was to explore the gender-specific effects of personality traits on the mental health status of family members of intensive care unit patients. Methods Between October 2022 and May 2023, we selected family members of patients form intensive care unit (ICU). We gathered demographic data and assessed participants' mental health, including anxiety, depression, and sleep quality. Results A total of 463 participants (271 males and 192 females) were included. Anxiety was significantly higher in male relatives than in female relatives. Unlike female relatives, depression was associated with conscientiousness (r = 0.211, p < 0.05) and poor sleep was associated with agreeableness (r = 0.147, p < 0.05) in male relatives. In females, neuroticism predicted poor sleep (p < 0.001), while in males, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and openness were predictors of poor sleep (all ps < 0.001). Conclusions Male relatives of ICU patients exhibited more severe mental health issues, and personality traits were predictive of anxiety and poor sleep among family members of ICU patients.