Insomnia partially mediates the relationship between pathological personality traits and depression: a case-control...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Psychology
• Clinical Neuroscience

Background:

• Personality disorders are often linked with insomnia and depression.
• The interplay between personality pathology, insomnia, and depression severity requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the inter-relationships among personality disorders, insomnia, and depression severity.
• To investigate the potential mediating role of insomnia in the association between personality pathologies and depression.

Main Methods:

• 138 participants (69 with depression, 69 controls) were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 (HAMD-24), Athens Sleep Insomnia Scale (AIS), and Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire (PDQ-4+).
• Multivariate linear regression and mediation analyses were employed to analyze the data.

Main Results:

• Individuals with depression exhibited significantly higher scores on most personality pathology measures (PDQ-4+) and insomnia (AIS) compared to healthy controls.
• All personality pathology scores, except antisocial personality, positively correlated with insomnia severity and depression severity (HAMD-24).
• Borderline personality, passive-aggressive personality, and insomnia were significant positive predictors of depression severity, with insomnia partially mediating these relationships.

Conclusions:

• Borderline and passive-aggressive personality traits, along with insomnia, contribute to increased depression severity.
• Insomnia plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between these specific personality traits and depression.
• Findings in a Chinese sample offer insights into depression psychopathology pathways and inform intervention strategies.