Psychological Predictors of Tetany Syndrome Severity: The Roles of High Sensitivity and Perfectionism

Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on Modern Research in Social Sciences

Year: 2026

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Psychological Predictors of Tetany Syndrome Severity: The Roles of High Sensitivity and Perfectionism

Marta Górna

ABSTRACT:

Tetany syndrome (TS) is a functional neuromuscular condition involving heightened neurovegetative reactivity and diverse sensory, motor, and affective symptoms. This study examined whether the personality traits perfectionism and high sensitivity predict the frequency of TS attacks—before diagnosis and at present—and the current intensity of symptoms. The sample comprised 723 adults with TS (75.8% women; mean age 37.35 years). Data were collected using a questionnaire-based method comprising a perfectionism scale, a high sensitivity scale, and items assessing the frequency of TS attacks and the occurrence and intensity of typical symptoms. Statistical analyses included group comparisons, correlations, binary logistic regressions predicting frequent attacks, and linear regression predicting symptom intensity. High sensitivity showed consistent and moderately strong associations with all indicators of TS severity, whereas perfectionism demonstrated weaker but still meaningful relationships. In predictive models of frequent attacks, perfectionism did not emerge as a significant predictor, while high sensitivity reliably increased the likelihood of experiencing attacks more often. Although these models explained only a small proportion of variability, the pattern of results was stable across analyses. In the model predicting symptom intensity, both traits made significant contributions, with high sensitivity showing a stronger effect, and perfectionism a moderate effect. Taken together, the findings indicate that high sensitivity functions as a notable psychological risk factor for the frequency of TS attacks, whereas perfectionism is more closely linked to the subjective burden and intensity of symptoms. These results highlight the relevance of personality traits in the clinical presentation of TS and support their potential usefulness in psychological screening and intervention planning.

Keywords: Attack frequency, Intervention, Personality traits, Regression, Symptoms intensity