Personality, Life Events and the Course of Anxiety and Depression

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Spinhoven ◽  
Karin Roelofs ◽  
Jacqueline GFM Hovens ◽  
Bernet M Elzinga ◽  
Patricia van Oppen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Positive Life Events ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Using data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety, we examined among 1322 participants with a DSM–IV diagnosis of depression or anxiety: (i) whether positive and negative life events influence 1–year course of anxiety and depressive symptoms; (ii) whether personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion) predict symptom course and moderate the impact of life events on symptom course; and (iii) whether life events mediate relationships of neuroticism and extraversion with symptom course. Negative life events were predictive of both anxiety and depressive symptoms, while positive life events predicted the course of depressive symptoms only. Personality traits had significant predictive and moderating effects on symptom course, though these effects were rather small. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Additive and Synergetic Contributions of Neuroticism and Life Events to Depression and Anxiety in Women

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 390-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Kandler ◽  
Fritz Ostendorf
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Event ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Environmental Variance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Positive Life Events ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Stress Models

In this genetically informative and longitudinal study of women, we investigated the nature of individual differences in tendencies to depression (TD) and anxiety (TA) as well as in the probability to develop unipolar mood disorders (UMDs), anxiety disorders (ADs) or both. Specifically, we examined the roles of neuroticism, negative and positive life events and their interplay as heritable and environmental factors of variance in TD and TA. Cross–sectional data from a total of 1200 women including 232 patients (suffering from UMDs and/or ADs) and longitudinal data from 630 female twins including 260 complete pairs were analysed. The analyses yielded that variance in neuroticism mediated the vast majority of the genetic variance in both TD (about 85–90%) and TA (about 70–75%). Negative life events additionally contributed as risk factors accounting for common and specific environmental variance in both TD and TA, whereas positive life events only acted as protective factors in the case of TD. Moreover, TD but not TA was associated with both the probability of exposure and the sensitivity to negative life events and a negative life–event balance (i.e. more negative than positive experiences). The results were discussed within the framework of additive, dynamic and synergetic diathesis–stress models. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology

scholarly journals Unrealistic optimism and HEXACO traits as predictors of risk perception and compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures during the first wave of pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Oljača ◽  
Selka Sadiković ◽  
Bojan Branovacki ◽  
Dejan Pajić ◽  
Snežana Smederevac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Unrealistic Optimism ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Positive Life Events ◽  
T1 And T2

The aims of this study were to examine possible differences and factors that contribute to risk perception and compliance with preventive measures at the beginning (T1) and the end (T2) of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 423 participants (M = 30.29, SD = 14.45; 69% female). Compliance, risk perception and trust in information were significantly higher in T1 than T2. For risk perception, significant predictors in both T1 and T2 were age, Emotionality (HEXACO-PI-R), and Unrealistic Optimism (NLE, Negative Life Events). Trust in information was a significant predictor in T1, while Unrealistic Optimism (Positive Life Events) was a significant predictor in T2. For compliance, significant predictors in T1 were gender and trust in information while in T2 were Emotionality, Extraversion, Conscientiousness (HEXACO-PI-R), NLE and trust in information, for both T1 and T2. In general, findings suggest a much more pronounced role of personality traits in adherence to protective measures at the end than at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia. Also, the results indicate the role of unrealistic optimism regarding negative life events in lower compliance with protective measures.

scholarly journals UNREALISTIC OPTIMISM AND HEXACO TRAITS AS PREDICTORS OF RISK PERCEPTION AND COMPLIANCE WITH COVID-19 PREVENTIVE MEASURES DURING THE FIRST WAVE OF PANDEMIC

1970 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-425
Author(s):  
Milan Oljača ◽  
Selka Sadiković ◽  
Bojan Branovački ◽  
Dejan Pajić ◽  
Snežana Smederevac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Unrealistic Optimism ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Positive Life Events ◽  
T1 And T2

The aims of this study were to examine possible differences and factors that contribute to risk perception and compliance with preventive measures at the beginning (T1) and the end (T2) of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 423 participants (M = 30.29, SD = 14.45; 69% female). Compliance, risk perception and trust in information were significantly higher in T1 than T2. For risk perception, significant predictors in both T1 and T2 were age, Emotionality (HEXACO-PI-R) and Unrealistic Optimism (NLE, Negative Life Events). Trust in information was a significant predictor in T1, while Unrealistic Optimism (Positive Life Events) was a significant predictor in T2. For compliance, significant predictors in T1 were gender and trust in information while in T2 were Emotionality, Extraversion, Conscientiousness (HEXACO-PI-R), NLE and trust in information, for both T1 and T2. In general, findings suggest a much more pronounced role of personality traits in adherence to protective measures at the end than at the beginning of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia. Also, the results indicate the role of unrealistic optimism regarding negative life events in lower compliance with protective measures.

Positive and negative life events and personality traits in predicting course of depression and anxiety

2011 ◽  
Vol 124 (6) ◽  
pp. 462-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Spinhoven ◽  
B. M. Elzinga ◽  
J. G. F. M. Hovens ◽  
K. Roelofs ◽  
P. van Oppen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Course Of Depression

scholarly journals Meaning Matters: Self-Perceived Meaning in Life, Its Predictors and Psychological Stressors Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Ashley Humphrey ◽  
Olivia Vari
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Coping Resources ◽  
Life Meaning ◽  
Life Orientation ◽  
Psychological Stressors ◽  
The Impact

Past research has found that a perceived meaning in life can act as a protective factor against adverse mental health symptomology, while also providing coping resources to buffer against the impact of negative life events. The current research investigated how the impact of self-perceived meaning in life as well as its predictors interact with stressors and worry related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected survey based data (n = 260) from Australian participants during the pandemic, measuring their meaning in life, orientation to differing life goals and COVID-19 related stressors via the impact of events scale. We found that meaning in life predicted less stress and worry associated with COVID-19. We also found that intrinsic based aspirations related positively to meaning in life within this context whereas extrinsic based goals related negatively to it, although these aspirations were not significant in reducing the stressors associated with COVID-19. These results reinforce past findings that meaning in life can effectively buffer against the impact of negative life events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. They also suggest that intrinsic based aspirations centred on relationships and self-acceptance may be an important mechanism in how people choose to pursue life meaning during uncertain life events.

The associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms in older adults: a community-based survey in rural China

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1226-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanhong Gong ◽  
Xiaopiao Wen ◽  
Chaoping Guan ◽  
Zhiqing Wang ◽  
Yuan Liang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Negative Life Event ◽  
The Past

ABSTRACTBackground: The aim of the current study was to investigate the associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms, and provide new evidence and recommendations for prevention and intervention in the depressive symptoms of older adults.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted door-to-door, utilizing a sample of 1,317 individuals aged 60 years and above in rural China. The five family characteristic variables recorded were: living with spouse, living with descendant, support of family members, self-reported family economic status in the previous year, and family-related negative life events that occurred anytime in the past with a continuous psychological effect during the past 12 months. Gender, age, years of schooling, and self-rated physical health status were taken as potential confounders. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine independent effects on depressive symptoms.Results: In addition to the potential confounders, only family-related negative life events, support of family members, and self-reported family economic status had significant effects on depressive symptoms in older adults. Experiencing a family-related negative life event was the most significant variable (OR = 11.70, 95% CI: 7.72–17.73), the second was support of family members (OR = 6.93, 95% CI: 3.26–14.70), while family economic status was less important than support of family members (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.08–5.25).Conclusion: This study, from the perspective of family characteristics on depressive symptoms in older adults, showed a strong correlation between being exposed to harmful family environments and depressive symptoms among the elderly. Efforts to address family risk factors and strengthen family cohesiveness deserve a higher priority, given the importance of these factors, compared with other efforts such as promoting economic development.

Ethnic Variables and Negative Life Events as Predictors of Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Behaviors in Latino College Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward C. Chang ◽  
Elizabeth A. Yu ◽  
Tina Yu ◽  
Emma R. Kahle ◽  
Viviana Hernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Latino College Students ◽  
Suicidal Behaviors

scholarly journals Longitudinal investigation of the role of temperament and stressful life events in childhood anxiety

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Broeren ◽  
Carol Newall ◽  
Helen F. Dodd ◽  
Ruth Locker ◽  
Jennifer L. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Childhood Anxiety ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Positive Behavior ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe current study investigated the longitudinal relationships among behavioral inhibition (BI), life events, and anxiety in a sample of 102 BI children and 100 behaviorally uninhibited (BUI) children aged 3 to 4 years. Children's parents completed questionnaires on BI, stressful life events, and anxiety symptoms, and were administered a diagnostic interview three times in a 5-year period. In line with our hypotheses, negative life events, particularly negative behavior-dependent life events (i.e., life events that are related to the children's own behaviors), and the impact of negative life events were predictive of increases in subsequent anxiety symptoms, the likelihood of having an anxiety disorder, and increased number of anxiety diagnoses over the 5-year follow-up period. Experiencing more positive, behavior-independent life events decreased the risk of being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Furthermore, differences were found in life events between BI and BUI children. That is, BI children experienced fewer positive and specifically positive behavior-dependent life events, and the impact of these positive life events was also lower in BI children than in BUI children. However, BI did not interact with life events in the prediction of anxiety problems as hypothesized. Therefore, this study seems to indicate that BI and life events act as additive risk factors in the development of anxiety problems.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document