Big Five personality and depression diagnosis, severity and age of onset in older adults

Personality may play an important role in late-life depression. The aim of this study is to examine the association between the Big Five personality domains and the diagnosis, severity and age of onset of late-life depression.

The NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) was cross-sectionally used in 352 depressed and 125 non-depressed older adults participating in the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons (NESDO). Depression diagnosis was determined by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Severity of depression was assessed by the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS). Logistic and linear regression analyses were applied. Adjustments were made for sociodemographic, cognitive, health and psychosocial variables.

Both the presence of a depression diagnosis and severity of depression were significantly associated with higher Neuroticism (OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.28-1.43 and B=1.06, p<.001, respectively) and lower Extraversion (OR=.79, 95% CI=.75-.83; B=-.85, p<.001) and Conscientiousness (OR=.86, 95% CI=.81.-.90; B=-.86, p<.001). Earlier onset of depression was significantly associated with higher Openness (B=-.49, p=.026).

Due to the cross-sectional design, no causal inferences can be drawn. Further, current depression may have influenced personality measures.

This study confirms an association between personality and late-life depression. Remarkable is the association found between high Openness and earlier age of depression onset.