Personality and voice disorders: A multitrait-multidisorder analysis

To examine whether personality has causal, concomitant, or outcome status i n common voice disorders, a vocally normal control group and 4 groups with voice disorders-functional dysphonia (FD), vocal nodules (VN), spasmodic dy sphonia (SD), and unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP)-were compared usin g the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ). Univariate and disc riminant analyses confirmed that the FD and VN groups differed significantl y from each other, the controls, and the other voice-disordered groups at b oth a superfactor and lower-trait level of personality description. The FD group was introverted, stress reactive, alienated, and unhappy. The VN grou p was described as socially dominant, stress reactive, aggressive, and impu lsive. Comparisons involving the SD, UVFP, and the control subjects did not identify consistent personality differences. While group trends supported the central tenets of a trait theory outlining the dispositional bases of F D and VN, further research is needed to elucidate the specific causal mecha nism(s) in individual cases. The disability hypothesis, which suggests that personality features represent the negative effects of vocal disability, w as not strongly supported.