Exploring the relationship between temperament traits, psychological symptoms, and functional disability assessed with the WHODAS 2.0 in persons with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundThe relationship between psychological comorbidity and functional impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains to be thoroughly investigated. This study examined the associations between temperament traits, psychological comorbidities, and disability as measured by the World Health Organi...

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Main Authors: Carmenrita Infortuna, Maria Buccafusca, Anita Maria Stella Graceffa, Enrica Maiorana, Ray Wang, Siddarth Ganesh, Orion Yedidia, Antonio Bruno, Fiammetta Iannuzzo, Florian P. Thomas, Fortunato Battaglia
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Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1561995/full
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author Carmenrita Infortuna
Maria Buccafusca
Anita Maria Stella Graceffa
Enrica Maiorana
Ray Wang
Siddarth Ganesh
Orion Yedidia
Antonio Bruno
Fiammetta Iannuzzo
Florian P. Thomas
Fortunato Battaglia
Fortunato Battaglia
author_facet Carmenrita Infortuna
Maria Buccafusca
Anita Maria Stella Graceffa
Enrica Maiorana
Ray Wang
Siddarth Ganesh
Orion Yedidia
Antonio Bruno
Fiammetta Iannuzzo
Florian P. Thomas
Fortunato Battaglia
Fortunato Battaglia
author_sort Carmenrita Infortuna
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe relationship between psychological comorbidity and functional impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains to be thoroughly investigated. This study examined the associations between temperament traits, psychological comorbidities, and disability as measured by the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 in persons with Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, persons with RRMS underwent a comprehensive assessment of temperament profiles, psychological status, and functional disability. Assessment tools included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) short form. Functional status was evaluated using the 36-item WHODAS 2.0. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate relationships between variables.ResultsThe study cohort comprised 105 persons with RRMS Hierarchical regression models showed that age and disease duration were significant predictors, with age positively associated with D02 and D06 dimensions, and disease duration linked to D02, D05, and D06 WHODAS 2.0 dimensions. Among temperament traits, hyperthymic temperament showed negative associations across multiple dimensions. Anxiety had strong positive association with disability. Model fit improved significantly with each step, with Step 3 explaining additional variance.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate significant associations between temperamental characteristics, particularly hyperthymic traits, −anxiety, and functional disability in persons with RRMS. Future research should investigate these relationships over time to understand causal links and create better treatments to slow disability progression. These findings could help improve how we assess and treat patients.
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spelling doaj-art-7e074d6e414a4d6aba993a07986b765f2025-08-20T03:41:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-08-011610.3389/fneur.2025.15619951561995Exploring the relationship between temperament traits, psychological symptoms, and functional disability assessed with the WHODAS 2.0 in persons with multiple sclerosisCarmenrita Infortuna0Maria Buccafusca1Anita Maria Stella Graceffa2Enrica Maiorana3Ray Wang4Siddarth Ganesh5Orion Yedidia6Antonio Bruno7Fiammetta Iannuzzo8Florian P. Thomas9Fortunato Battaglia10Fortunato Battaglia11Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Policlinico Universitario, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyUnit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyUnit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyUnit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyWilliams College, Williamstown, MA, United StatesDepartment of Medical Sciences, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ, United StatesDepartment of Medical Sciences, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ, United StatesDepartment of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Policlinico Universitario, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Policlinico Universitario, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyDepartment of Medical Sciences, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ, United StatesDepartment of Medical Sciences, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ, United StatesDepartment of Neurology, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ, United StatesBackgroundThe relationship between psychological comorbidity and functional impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains to be thoroughly investigated. This study examined the associations between temperament traits, psychological comorbidities, and disability as measured by the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 in persons with Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, persons with RRMS underwent a comprehensive assessment of temperament profiles, psychological status, and functional disability. Assessment tools included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) short form. Functional status was evaluated using the 36-item WHODAS 2.0. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate relationships between variables.ResultsThe study cohort comprised 105 persons with RRMS Hierarchical regression models showed that age and disease duration were significant predictors, with age positively associated with D02 and D06 dimensions, and disease duration linked to D02, D05, and D06 WHODAS 2.0 dimensions. Among temperament traits, hyperthymic temperament showed negative associations across multiple dimensions. Anxiety had strong positive association with disability. Model fit improved significantly with each step, with Step 3 explaining additional variance.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate significant associations between temperamental characteristics, particularly hyperthymic traits, −anxiety, and functional disability in persons with RRMS. Future research should investigate these relationships over time to understand causal links and create better treatments to slow disability progression. These findings could help improve how we assess and treat patients.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1561995/fullmultiple sclerosisWHODAS 2.0temperament traitsanxietydepressionstress
spellingShingle Carmenrita Infortuna
Maria Buccafusca
Anita Maria Stella Graceffa
Enrica Maiorana
Ray Wang
Siddarth Ganesh
Orion Yedidia
Antonio Bruno
Fiammetta Iannuzzo
Florian P. Thomas
Fortunato Battaglia
Fortunato Battaglia
Exploring the relationship between temperament traits, psychological symptoms, and functional disability assessed with the WHODAS 2.0 in persons with multiple sclerosis
Frontiers in Neurology
multiple sclerosis
WHODAS 2.0
temperament traits
anxiety
depression
stress
title Exploring the relationship between temperament traits, psychological symptoms, and functional disability assessed with the WHODAS 2.0 in persons with multiple sclerosis
title_full Exploring the relationship between temperament traits, psychological symptoms, and functional disability assessed with the WHODAS 2.0 in persons with multiple sclerosis
title_fullStr Exploring the relationship between temperament traits, psychological symptoms, and functional disability assessed with the WHODAS 2.0 in persons with multiple sclerosis
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the relationship between temperament traits, psychological symptoms, and functional disability assessed with the WHODAS 2.0 in persons with multiple sclerosis
title_short Exploring the relationship between temperament traits, psychological symptoms, and functional disability assessed with the WHODAS 2.0 in persons with multiple sclerosis
title_sort exploring the relationship between temperament traits psychological symptoms and functional disability assessed with the whodas 2 0 in persons with multiple sclerosis
topic multiple sclerosis
WHODAS 2.0
temperament traits
anxiety
depression
stress
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1561995/full
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