The intensity of anxiety, neurotic symptoms and perceived control among patients with neurotic and personality disorders

Aims: The study aimed to determine the relationship between the intensity of anxiety, neurotic symptoms and perceived control using Bryant’s Four-Factor Model of Perceived Control. The goal of the study was also to describe the structure of perceived control among patients with neurotic and personality disorders. Materials and methods: The study included 49 patients with neurotic disorders, personality disorders or comorbid neurotic and personality disorders from a psychotherapy hospital department. We used the following tools: the KO "O" Symptom Checklist, the KON-2006 Neurotic Personality Questionnaire, a Polish adaptation of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Bryant’s Questionnaire of Perceived Control. Results: The intensity of neurotic personality and anxiety-trait is significantly negatively correlated with most indicators of perceived control. Discussion: Some studies in the literature have found an association between perceived control and anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and even psychotic states. To date, Rotter’s one-dimensional scale has been used in most studies (internal vs. external locus of control). The present study enables researchers to broaden the perspective on perceived control, adding cognitive control and emotional control over positive as well as negative events. Conclusions: Most of the various factors of perceived control are related to some extent to the personality structure, which is responsible for the occurrence of neurotic disorders, and to some extent to anxiety trait - an important predictor for neurotic disorders. The results presented are relevant to patients suffering from neurotic symptoms and diagnosed with neurotic disorders and personality disorders according to ICD-10 criteria.