Temperament and character traits of women admitted for breast reduction and comparison with body perception

Reduction mammaplasty improves self-esteem and low body perception. Previous reports comprise either retrospective data or sectional analysis in which women were evaluated postoperatively. Furthermore, temperament and character properties of women applying for breast reduction have not been investigated. This study aimed to compare the temperament and character traits of women admitted for breast reduction surgery with those of healthy volunteers and to investigate the interaction of body perception with temperament and character.

The study enrolled 24 patients admitted for reduction mammaplasty and 24 healthy women. The study participants received the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) questionnaires. The RSE questionnaire was completed again by the patients 6 months after the operation.

Of the temperament scales, the persistence scale was significantly lower for the patients. Only the reward dependence subscale of the temperament scale was significantly higher for the patients. Self-esteem (RSE) was significantly lower for the patients than for the control subjects preoperatively, whereas, it rose significantly after the operation. The RSE showed a negative correlation with self-directedness and its subscales of being responsible and resourceful. A significant negative correlation also was found between RSE and empathy.

Women with large breasts try to develop adaptable character properties against chronic troubles. However, the temperament scale of persistence decreases in this process. Similar temperament and character traits of women with and those without large breasts suggest that patients desire breast reduction for functional rather than cosmetic purposes.