How personality traits determine the handling of food allergies

Personality characteristics have an influence on the handling of food allergies

Food allergies have been increasing for many years. In Germany alone, around six million are affected. Researchers from New Zealand have now gained new insights that can help sufferers significantly improve their quality of life. They were able to prove that certain personality traits influence the handling of the everyday problems of a food allergy.

Food allergies increase

The number of people with food allergies (food allergies) has increased significantly in recent years. According to estimates by the German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB), around six million people are affected in Germany alone. Researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand have now gained new insights that can help those affected significantly improve their quality of life. The researchers were able to prove that certain personality traits influence the handling of the everyday problems of a food allergy.

A food allergy can make life difficult for those affected. Researchers have now gained new insights that can help allergy sufferers significantly improve their quality of life. (Image: airborne77 / fotolia.com)

Allergic reactions make life difficult for those affected

In an allergy, the body reacts to normally harmless substances from the environment by increasing the number of antibodies against the supposed source of danger.

In a food allergy, not all the food is the trigger of the reaction, but only a very small part of it.

Allergic reactions to food are generally not limited to specific organs. The most common symptoms are reactions to the skin and mucous membranes, the ear, nose and throat, bronchial and gastrointestinal tract.

It may cause itchy rash, sneezing, shortness of breath, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting.

In addition, a food allergy also represents a major psychological burden.

How to deal with affected challenges in everyday life

An interdisciplinary science team from the Department of Psychology (Dr. Tamlin Conner) and the Department of Food Science (Dr. Rana Peniamina, Dr. Miranda Mirosa and Professor Phil Bremer) from the University of Otago in New Zealand now wanted to find out how adults with food allergies use it everyday challenges and whether certain personality traits reinforce these challenges.

"This study examines whether individual differences in the expression of the top 5 personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, tolerability, and conscientiousness) have an influence on the handling of everyday problems caused by food allergies," said lead author Dr. Tamlin Conner according to a statement from the Study and Support Center Ranke-Heinemann.

The 14-day study, published in the journal "Frontiers in Psychology", involved a total of 108 adults suffering from a diagnosed food allergy.

Subjects completed an online survey daily, which included 25 daily food issues, stress levels and mood. According to Dr. Conner could not confirm the results the hypotheses of the science team.

Openness led to increased problems

"We were surprised that neuroticism did not lead to increasing problems with the allergy or worse mood on days with more allergy problems," said the expert.

"On the contrary, the personality trait of openness has led to increased problems - such as hunger, as there may not be enough" safe "food available or sufficient adequate groceries can be found when shopping," explained Dr. Conner.

"In addition, fears arose in collaborative events involving food or because one feels excluded and misunderstood."

Better understand the behavior of children with food allergy

"It seems that the requirements for dealing with food allergies (routine, careful and consuming known foods) are in direct conflict with an open personality. This is based on the fact that open personalities strive for exploration, diversity and new experiences, "Dr. Conner.

She hopes the insights will help people understand how personality affects the way food allergies are handled.

"" Open "people, for example, could express their desire for diversity in the field of music or film, rather than food. They could also have reserve food in case they spontaneously crave it, "said the scientist.

"Our findings can also help parents understand the behavior of their children suffering from food allergies. For example, "open" children may have an increased appetite for new foods, which could be risky for them, "Dr. Conner.

"With this knowledge, parents can try to mitigate these challenges and reduce their incidence."

Improve the quality of life of those affected

The organization Allergy New Zealand says that food allergies are a significant burden for many people and welcomes the study of scientists around Dr. Conner.

"The study raises the complexity that adults face with food allergies, not just New Zealand but also individual focus," said Mark Dixon, general manager of Allergy New Zealand.

"It's about helping people better understand their personality traits and their effects, and how to optimize their handling of food allergies. In the long term, the quality of life of those affected can be improved. "(Ad)