Personality as a predisposing factor for DCI: a pilot study.
This study aimed to identify differences in personality characteristics related to decompression illness (DCI) in recreational scuba divers. A matched control group of nine divers (without DCI) and a research group of nine divers (with DCI) were recruited. Following a chamber dive (control group), or treatment for DCI (study group), three psychometric scales - Locus of Control, Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire - Revised, and Sensation Seeking Scale - were administered together with a diving history questionnaire and questions on motoring. One significant difference was identified and lay between engine sizes, with those experiencing DCI having cars with larger engines (P < 0.01). The data were inconsistent with previous research that suggested a relationship between sensation seeking and risk taking. Further research is needed to elucidate the relationship between diving injury and personality.
A Postgraduate research student in the Department of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-(0)1752-209999, Fax: +44-(0)1752-209115, E-mail: sharding.jb@googlemail.com.
Sam
S
Harding
Phil
P
Gee