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Personality dimensions associated with depressive personality disorder
K Lyoo1, J G Gunderson, K A Phillips
1Psychosocial and Personality Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02178, USA.
Journal of Personality Disorders
|May 9, 1998
Summary
Depressive personality disorder (DPD) is characterized by higher harm avoidance and neuroticism. Subjects with DPD also showed lower novelty seeking, extroversion, and adaptive defense mechanisms compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Personality Disorders
Background:
- Depressive personality disorder (DPD) is a significant, yet under-researched, clinical construct.
- Understanding DPD's unique personality traits is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically investigate the personality characteristics differentiating subjects with Depressive Personality Disorder (DPD) from those with similar histories of early-onset depression.
- To compare personality profiles using established psychometric instruments.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 26 subjects diagnosed with DPD and 20 non-DPD subjects with similar depression histories.
- Utilized the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ), NEO-Five Factor Inventory, and Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ) for personality assessment.
Main Results:
- DPD subjects exhibited significantly higher scores in Harm Avoidance and Neuroticism.
- Conversely, DPD subjects scored significantly lower in Novelty Seeking, Extroversion, and Adaptive defense mechanisms.
- Samples were comparable in demographics, comorbid depression, and dysthymia rates.
Conclusions:
- DPD is associated with distinct personality traits, including heightened harm avoidance and neuroticism, and reduced novelty seeking, extroversion, and adaptive defenses.
- Findings have implications for refining diagnostic criteria (nosology) and informing clinical interventions for DPD.