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

Anxiety symptoms were significantly higher in male relatives of ICU patients than in female relatives.

• Anxiety scale scores: 54 (51-57) in males vs 50 (46-55) in females, p < 0.001
• Total sample included 463 participants: 271 males and 192 females
• Data collected between October 2022 and May 2023 from ICU family members

In male relatives, depression scale score was positively correlated with conscientiousness.

• Correlation coefficient r = 0.211, p = 0.001
• This association was observed specifically in male relatives (n = 271)
• No equivalent association was reported for female relatives

In male relatives, poor sleep scale score was positively correlated with agreeableness.

• Correlation coefficient r = 0.147, p = 0.022
• This association was observed specifically in male relatives
• No equivalent agreeableness-sleep association was reported for female relatives

In female relatives, neuroticism was associated with poor sleep quality.

• OR = 1.676, 95% CI [1.323–2.123], p < 0.001
• This was the only Big Five personality trait significantly associated with poor sleep in female relatives in the multivariate analysis
• Sample of female relatives: n = 192

In male relatives, multiple personality traits — neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness, and extroversion — were associated with poor sleep quality, while agreeableness was inversely associated.

• Neuroticism: OR = 1.345, 95% CI [1.138–1.589], p < 0.001
• Conscientiousness: OR = 1.394, 95% CI [1.198–1.622], p < 0.001
• Openness: OR = 1.313, 95% CI [1.043–1.652], p = 0.020
• Extroversion: OR = 1.147, 95% CI [1.028–1.281], p = 0.014
• Agreeableness was inversely associated with poor sleep in males: OR = 0.781, 95% CI [0.635–0.961], p = 0.020

The study investigated Family Intensive Care Unit Syndrome (FICUS), encompassing anxiety, depression, and sleep quality, in 463 ICU family members using personality trait assessments.

• 463 total participants (271 males, 192 females) were included
• Data collection period: October 2022 to May 2023
• Mental health outcomes assessed included anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and sleep quality
• Big Five personality traits (neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness, extroversion, agreeableness) were measured and analyzed by gender