A – 127 Type D Personality and Subjective Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Objective Type D Personality, conceptualized as simultaneous Social Inhibition and Negative Affectivity, is associated with worse outcomes in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). The present study aimed to assess whether the impact of Type D Personality extends to cognition. A priori, we expect Type D Personality to account for variance in cognitive impairment. Method Data was analyzed from 56 PwMS diagnosed by board-certified neurologists using the revised McDonald criteria. Type D Personality was measured using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory traits of Neuroticism and Extraversion. Composite variables were created to measure Memory and Attention-Processing Speed. These composites, as well as the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Questionnaire (MSNQ) self- and informant-reports, were used as dependent variables in separate linear regression analyses with Type D Personality as the predictor. The Beck Depression Inventory Fast Screen (BDI-FS) was included in a subsequent model with Type D Personality predicting MSNQ self-report. Results Type D Personality significantly explained 23.4% of the variance in MSNQ self-report, [F (1,54) = 16.52, p < .001], but was not associated with either cognitive composite variable or MSNQ informant-report. After controlling for depression, the impact of Type D Personality was reduced but remained significant [F (1,53) = 7.77, p = .007], still accounting for 11% of the total variance in MSNQ self-report. Conclusion Type D Personality was associated with perceived but not performance-based cognitive impairment or others’ perceptions of cognitive problems. Depression did not fully mediate this relationship, underscoring that Type D Personality features uniquely contribute to the subjective experience of greater cognitive problems in PwMS.