Enneagram Personality System as an Effective Model in Prediction of Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Case-Control Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master of Clinical Psychology, Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Kermanshah, Iran

2 MD, Ph.D, Lifestyle Modification Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

3 Master of Clinical Psychology, Lifestyle Modification Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

4 Ph.D. Student of Psychology, Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, Imam Ali Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Kermanshah, Iran

5 Ph.D. Student of Psychology, Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Studies on behavioral patterns and personality traits play a critical role in the prediction of healthy or unhealthy behaviors and identification of high-risk individuals for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in order to implement preventive strategies. This study aimed to compare personality types in individuals with and without CVD based on the enneagram of personality.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 96 gender-matched participants (48 CVD patients and 48 healthy subjects).Data were collected using the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI). Data analysis was performed in SPSS V.20 using MANOVA, Chi-square, and T-test.
Results: After adjustment for age and gender there is a significant difference between two groups (and male) in term of personality types one and five. In CVD patients, score of personality type one (F(1,94)=9.476) (P=0.003) was significantly higher, while score of personality type five was significantly lower (F(1,94)=6.231) (P=0.014), compared to healthy subjects. However, this significant difference was only observed in the score of personality type one in female patients (F(1,66)=4.382) (P=0.04).
Conclusion: Identifying healthy personality type one individuals before CVD development, providing necessary training on the potential risk factors of CVDs, and implementation of preventive strategies (e.g., anger management skills) could lead to positive outcomes for the society and healthcare system. It is recommended that further investigation be conducted in this regard. 

Keywords


  1.  Saeidi M, Komasi S, Soroush A, Zakiei A, Shakeri J. Gender differences in patients' beliefs about biological, environmental, behavioral, and psychological risk factors in a cardiac rehabilitation program. J Cardio Thoracic Med. 2014; 2:215‐20.
  2. Jones J, Buckley JP, Furze G, Doherty P, Speck L, Connolly S, et al. The BACPR standards and core components for cardiovascular disease prevention and rehabilitation 2012. 2nd ed. London: British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation; 2012. P. 1-22.
  3. Komasi S, Saeidi M. Aging is an important cause for a lack of understanding of the main risk factor in cardiac rehabilitation patients. Thrita. 2015; 4:e32751.
  4. Saeidi M, Soroush A, Komasi S, Moemeni K, Heydarpour B. Attitudes toward cardiovascular disease risk factors among patients referred to a cardiac rehabilitation center: importance of psychological attitudes. Shiraz E-Med J. 2015; 16:e22281.
  5. Karami J, Komasi S, Maesoomi M, Saeidi M. Comparing the effects of two methods of relaxation and interpersonal cognitive problem solving (ICPS) on decreasing anxiety and depression in cardiac rehabilitation patients. J Urmia Univ Med Sci. 2014; 25:298-308.
  6. Jokela M, Pulkki-Raback L, Elovainio M, Kivimaki M. Personality traits as risk factors for stroke and coronary heart disease mortality: pooled analysis of three cohort studies. J Behav Med. 2014; 37:881-9.
  7. Suls J, Bunde J. Anger, anxiety, and depression as risk factors for cardiovascular disease: the problems and implications of overlapping affective dispositions. Psychol Bull. 2005; 131:260-300.
  8. Khoosfi H, Monirpoor N, Birashk B, Peighambari M. A comparative study of personality factors, stressful life events, and social support in coronary heart patients and non-patients. Contemp Psychol. 2007; 2:41-8.
  9. Mosavi SM, Namazi SH, Lotfian AA. Personality and coronary heart diseases. Med J Hormozgan Univ. 2005; 9:109-12.
  10. Hamid N. Relationship between stress, hardiness and coronary heart disease. Jundishapur Sci Med J. 2007; 6:219-25.
  11.  Shipley BA, Weiss A, Der G, Taylor MD, Deary IJ. Neuroticism, extraversion, and mortality in the UK health and lifestyle survey: a 21-year prospective cohort study. Psychosom Med. 2007; 69:923-31.
  12.  Hur Y, Lee KH. Analysis of medical students' enneagram personality types, stress, and developmental level. Korean J Med Educ. 2011; 23:175-84.
  13. Lee JS, Yoon JA, Do KJ. Effectiveness of enneagram group counseling for self-identification and depression in nursing college students. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2013; 43:649-57.
  14. Riso DR, Hudson R. Discovering your personality type: the essential introduction to the Enneagram. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 2003.
  15. Palmer H. The enneagram: understanding yourself and the others in your life. San Francisco, CA: Harper Collins; 1991.
  16.  Riso DR, Hudson R. Understanding the enneagram: the practical guide to personality types. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 2000.
  17. Newgent RA, Parr PE, Newman I, Higgins KK. The riso-hudson enneagram type indicator: estimates of reliability and validity. Measurem Evalu Counsel Dev. 2004; 36:226–37.
  18. Hoseinian S, Azimipour P, Karami A, Yazdi SM, Keshavaz G. Study of the psychometrical features of Enneagram personality types. Q J Career Organizat Counsel. 2012; 4:125-44.
  19.  Cao X, Wong EM, Chow Choi K, Cheng L, Ying Chair S. Interventions for cardiovascular patients with type D personality: a systematic review. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs.
  20. 2016. 13:314-23.Lapid-Bogda G. Bringing out the best in yourself at work: how to use the enneagram system for success. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2004. P. 32-42.
  21. Lapid-Bogda G. Bringing out the best in everyone you coach: use the Enneagram system for Exceptional Results. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2010. P. 43-121.
  22.  Chida Y, Steptoe A. The association of anger and hostility with future coronary heart disease: a meta-analytic review of prospective evidence. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009; 53:936-46.
  23. Krantz DS, Olson MB, Francis JL, Phankao C, Bairey Merz CN, Sopko G, et al. Anger, hostility, and cardiac symptoms in women with suspected coronary artery disease: the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) Study. J Womens Health. 2006; 15:1214-23.
  24.  Komasi S. The effectiveness of Enneagram personality types training in decreasing couple burnout in couples seeking divorce. Kermanshah: Welfare Organization; 2014. P. 75-6.
  25. Aparicio MD, Moreno-Rosset C, Díaz MD, Ramírez–Uclés I. Gender differences in affect, emotional maladjustment and adaptive resources in infertile couples: a positive approach. Ann Clin Health Psychol. 2009; 5:39-46.