Type D Personality, Stress Levels, and Coping Strategies in Women with Androgenetic Alopecia and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

A new study aimed to assess stress levels, coping strategies, and the prevalence of Type D personality in women with androgenetic alopecia and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It also examined the relationship between personality type, stress, coping methods, and alopecia severity.

This 2023 study involved 146 Polish women aged 18-45 years with androgenetic alopecia and PCOS. Participants completed a questionnaire about socio-demographic details, gynecological history, and PCOS diagnosis and treatment history. Three standardized tools were used – the Type-D Scale (DS-14), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) inventory.

Type D personality was detected in 45% of the participants. A significant portion (44%) reported high stress levels, with most using active and supportive coping strategies––while avoidance was less common. Women with Type D personality had higher stress levels, used active strategies less often, and relied more on avoidant strategies. Moreover, the severity of androgenetic alopecia did not correlate with Type D personality or perceived stress levels.

Hence, it was inferred that type D personality in women with androgenetic alopecia is associated with higher stress and more frequent use of dysfunctional coping strategies. However, the alopecia severity did not correlate with personality type or stress levels, although it was linked to certain coping strategies. Active coping strategies were the most common in women with PCOS and androgenic alopecia, but no clear trend toward more dysfunctional strategies was observed.

Source: Dybciak P, Raczkiewicz D, Humeniuk E, et al. Medical Science Monitor. 2024 Aug 23;30.