Individual and Gender Differences in Personality Influence the Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (original) (raw)
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Gender differences in depression: the role of personality factors
Psychiatry Research, 2004
The goal of the study was to determine the association between gender and the Big Five personality factors, and to identify the role of personality factors in the association between gender and depression among adults in the United States. Data were drawn from the Midlife Development in the United States Survey (Ns3032). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to examine gender differences on the Big Five personality factors (i.e. agreeableness, neuroticism, openness to experience, extraversion, and conscientiousness). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relation between gender and depression, and to test whether this association is moderated by neuroticism. Levels of neuroticism, agreeableness, extraversion, and conscientiousness were significantly higher among females than among males; in contrast, level of openness to experience was significantly higher among males. Female gender was associated with increased odds of experiencing depression. Results showed that neuroticism played a significant contributory role in the relationship between being female and major depression, though the role of gender remained statistically significant after adjustment. These data suggest that gender differences in personality factors, specifically neuroticism, may play a key role in the well-documented gender difference in depression. Our findings indicate that neuroticism may moderate the association between female gender and increased risk of depression among adults. These findings require replication using longitudinal data.
Are there gender differences in major depression and its response to antidepressants?
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2003
Background: The prevalence of major depression for women is about twice that for men. This gender difference in prevalence rates has led to much research addressing gender differences in the presentation and features of major depression, and, to a lesser extent, research addressing gender differences in treatment response and personality. However, studies differ considerably in the population sampled, and findings vary significantly. In the current retrospective examination of data, we investigated all of these variables in one single sample of outpatients with major depression seen in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A sample of 139 men and 246 women with major depression receiving antidepressant treatment (SSRIs, TCAs, SNRIs, MAOIs, or RIMAs) in an outpatient setting were contrasted with regard to symptoms and severity of depression, course of illness, treatment response, and personality. Results: Women were found to experience more vegetative and atypical symptoms, anxiety, and anger than men, and to report higher severity of depression on self-report measures. Regarding personality, women scored higher on conscientiousness, the extraversion facet warmth, the openness facet feelings, and sociotropy. Effect sizes were small to moderate. No differences were found in the course of the illness and treatment response. Limitations: Findings are not generalizable to inpatient or community samples, and some of the gender differences may be accounted for by gender differences in treatment seeking behaviour. Conclusions: While men and women receiving antidepressant treatment show some gender differences in the psychopathology of major depression, these differences do not appear to translate into differences in response to antidepressants. Gender differences in personality appear less profound than in the average population, indicating the potential role of a certain personality type that predisposes individuals to develop clinical depression, independent of gender. Clinical relevance: The current examination underscores the role gender plays in the presentation and treatment of major depression.
Women and Vulnerability to Depression: Some Personality and Clinical Factors
The purpose of this study is to explore the role of sex differences and personality in vulnerability to depression. Sex differences in personality and some clinical variables are described. We also assess the value of the variables that revealed significant sex differences as predictors of vulnerability to depression. In a group of adult participants (N = 112), 50% males and 50% females (mean age = 41.30; SD = 15.09; range 17-67), we studied sex differences in the three-factor personality model, using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Form A (EPQ-A; Eysenck & Eysenck, 1975), and in the Five-Factor Personality Model, with the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI; Costa & McCrae, 1985).. Subsequently, simple linear regression analysis, with BDI scores as criterion, were performed to estimate the value of the variables as predictors of vulnerability to depression. The results indicate that a series of personality variables cause women to be more vulnerable to depression than men and that these variables could be explained by a negative emotion main factor. Results are discussed within the framework of the psychological behaviorism theory of depression. En este trabajo se examinó el papel de las diferencias del sexo y de la personalidad en la vulnerabilidad a la depresión. Se describen las diferencias entre sexos en personalidad y en algunas variables clínicas para, posteriormente, analizar el papal de las variables que muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los sexos, como predictoras de la vulnerabilidad a la depresión. Para cumplir con este objetivo, se exploraron extensamente esas diferencias en dos grandes modelos de la personalidad y en algunas escalas clínicas. Nuestros datos se obtuvieron de un grupo de adultos (N = 112), 50% hombres y 50% mujeres (media de edad = 41.30; SD = 15.09; rango 17-67). Se estudiaron las diferencias entre mujeres y hombres respecto al modelo de 3 factores, utilizando el Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Form A (EPQ; Eysenck & Eysenck, 1975; versión española de TEA, 1986), y el modelo de 5 factores (NEO Personality Inventory-NEO-PI; Costa & McCrae, 1985). Se aplicaron también algunas escalas clínicas: Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck et al., 1979), Schizotypy Questionnaire (STQ; Claridge & Broks, 1984; versión española de Carrillo y Rojo, 1999), THARL scales (Dua, 1989, 1990; versión española de Dua y Carrillo, 1994), y The Adjustment Inventory (Bell, 1937; versión española: Cuestionario de adaptación para adultos, Cerdá, 1980). Tras estudiar las diferencias según el sexo respecto a estos factores, se estimó su valor de vulnerabilidad a la depresión mediante análisis de regresión lineal simple, siendo la escala BDI de Beck el criterio de depresión. Los resultados mostraron que existe un conjunto de variables que hacen a las mujeres más vulnerables a la depresión que a los hombres. Estas variables podrían explicarse a partir de un factor principal de emocionalidad negativa. Se discuten los resultados en el contexto de la teoría del conductismo psicológico de la depresión. Palabras clave: depresión en la mujer, personalidad, vulnerabilidad, diferencias según el sexo, teoría conductual de la depresión
Differences in depressive symptom profile between males and females
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2008
Background: It is widely held that there are no differences in the symptom profile of male and female depression. Studies to date that have found differences have used different methodologies and had inconsistent findings. Here we compare the clinical profile of major depression for men and women from a sample of almost 600 well-characterized individuals with recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Subjects were recruited as part of a large genetic-epidemiological study of MDD. Clinical assessments included semistructured interviews and case-note review. Clinical profiles during 'worst ever' (WE) depressive episode were scored using the OPCRIT checklist. Profiles for 199 males were compared to 399 females. Results: Females with depression tended to have an earlier age-at-onset (p b 0.0001), exhibited more frequent depressive episodes (p b 0.005), had a greater number of depressive symptoms (p b 0.001), and reported much higher rates of atypical depressive features (p b 0.007) during their WE episode of depression. Logistic regression analysis identified that earlier age-at-onset of depression, excessive self-reproach and diminished libido were the best predictors of female depression. Limitations: Retrospective recall by subjects of depressive symptoms, which may be prone to recall bias. Conclusions: There are differences in the clinical course and symptom profile of male and female depression. Further study is required to identify the biological correlates of these differences and to characterize their clinical importance.
Personality and depression in women
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2003
Personality disorders and traits should be assessed in studies concerned with the etiology and treatment of depression in women. There has been a considerable amount of research concerned with the effect of personality functioning on the etiology and treatment of depression, and much of this research has concerned personality traits and disorders for which significant gender differences and issues apply. The importance of personality functioning, and the particular relevance to women and gender-related issues, is illustrated in this paper with regard to dependent personality disorder and dependent personality traits. Implications for future research on the etiology and treatment of depression in women are provided.
Analysis of Gender Differences in Depression
Analysis of Gender Differences in Depression, 2009
Depression is one of the most common psychological problems, affecting nearly everyone through either personal experience or through depression in a family member. It is an illness that affects both men and women. However, women are said to be two to three times more prone than men to suffer from depression. How come women are more prone to depression than men? Experts say that depression is a disorder that is color blind and affects women in spite of race, ethnic backgrounds, or socio-economic standing because they handle variety of conflicting roles in society which may be susceptible to depression. On the other hand, men usually tend not to admit that they feel fragile or vulnerable, because of the traditional view of how men should be - always tough and self-reliant – which is also held by some women, and so they are less likely to ask for help. Yet, depression is not something you can just “snap out of”. It does not only cause suffering to individuals who are depressed, but it brings problems for their families and friends who seldom do not know how to help them. Like any serious medical condition, depression needs to be treated.
The Relationship between Major Depressive Disorder and Personality Traits
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical temperaments and characters of Iranian patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MOD) with healthy controls Method: The study participants included 47 outpatients with Major Depressive Disorder (MOD) and 120 nonnal controls with no psychiatric disorders. Sampling method was convenience. The MDD patients were diagnosed as MDD by a psychiatrist using the Persian structured clinical interview for axis I disorders (SCID-I), and they completed at least 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment. All the patients filled out the Persian version of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17, Chi square, T test. and Multiple Regression. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: The present study demonstrates a link between depression and lower persistence (p50.001), self-directedness (p50.001) and cooperativeness (p~0. 001) scores. A negative correlation between age and Hann Avoidance (p50.001) was observed in both groups. Conclusion: Lower scores of persistence (P), self-directedness (SD) and cooperativeness (CO) were observed in patients with depression more than controls even in the remission phase which could indicate a relationship between these traits and depression.
Gender Differences in the Frequency of Personality Disorders in Depressed Outpatients
Journal of Personality Disorders, 1999
We examined gender differences in the frequency of DSM-III-R personality disorder diagnoses and symptomatology in a sam ple of 225 depressed outpatients. This research partially repli cates and extends one of the first studies in this area by Golomb et al. (1995). Males were significantly more likely than females to meet diagnoses for schizotypal, paranoid, narcissis tic, antisocial, obsessive compulsive, and borderline personal ity disorder. Compared to females, males were also
Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms Among Inpatients
Klinik Psikofarmakoloji Bulteni-bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2016
Gender differences in depressive symptoms among inpatients Objective: The aim of this research was to determine whether statistically significant differences exist in the clinical presentation (symptoms) of depressive disorders in men and women and, if so, what are they reflected in. Material and Method: The study included 150 patients between the ages of 18 and 65 who have been hospitalized due to a major depressive disorder according to the diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV classification, at the Psychiatric Clinic in Novi Sad, Serbia. Patients with comorbid physical or other mental disorders were not included. Within the research process, during the first day of hospitalization, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale with 21 items was administered, while 12 other symptoms of depression (specific quality of the depression, pessimism, stability of depression to environmental influences, ideas of impoverishment, worthlessness, blaming of others, social isolation, anhedonia, monoideism, self-pity, dependence on others, and manipulativeness) were assessed using the BPRS, MADRS, SADS, SADD and AMPDP scales by the examining psychiatrist. A t-test for significance of differences in the age structure of men and women was performed in the statistical analysis, which indicated that this is a homogeneous group, while the structure of gender differences in the clinical picture of depression was examined by discriminant analysis, in which gender was an independent variable, while the examined depressive symptoms were the dependent variables. Results: The results showed a statistically significant structure of gender differences in the clinical picture of depression, which is reflected in the existence of two types of depression, hypothetically called: existential depression characteristic to men and anxious-somatic depression characteristic to women. Conclusion: The determined existence of gender differences in depressive symptoms and the clinical presentation of depression in this and other studies, as well as the data on double the prevalence of depression in women and the gender differences in the responses to antidepressant medications, are the facts that point out the need for a gender-specific approach to the evaluation and treatment of depression.
Current Psychology, 2009
The present study evaluated levels of instrumental and expressive traits and vulnerability to severe depression. A sample of 44 depressed psychiatric patients (i.e., 22 currently depressed patients and 22 remitted depressed patients) completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, a well-known personality measure that assesses masculinity (i.e., instrumentality) and femininity (i.e., expressivity). Analyses revealed that currently depressed patients, relative to the remitted depressed patients, had significantly lower levels of both instrumental and expressive traits. Overall, most currently depressed patients were characterized by unhealthy, undifferentiated sex-role self-concepts (i.e., low levels of masculinity and femininity) while the sex-role self-concepts of remitted depressed patients closely resembled those found in nonclinical populations. The current results qualify recent research on the impact of depression on personality ratings by suggesting that severe depression may contribute by lowering scores on self-report assessments of socially desirable personality traits reflecting agentic, instrumental characteristics, and communal, expressive characteristics.