J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2016 Feb;55(1):33-40. 10.4306/jknpa.2016.55.1.33.

Personality Traits Related to Perceived Stress in Mood Disorder

• Lee JJ
• Moon E
• Park JM
• Lee BD
• Lee YM
• Jeong HJ
• Choi Y

• KMID: 2192906
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2016.55.1.33

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Stress can substantially affect the symptoms and courses of mood disorders. Among the various factors of stress perception, one's personality traits and mood states are especially important. The aim of the current study is to examine the influences of personality traits on perceived stress in mood disorder, comparing depressive disorders and bipolar disorders.
METHODS
Patients with depressive disorders (n=81) and bipolar disorders (n=79) and who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition diagnostic criteria were recruited. Stress perception was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Personality traits were assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Neo-Five Factor Inventory. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine and determine the predictors that significantly affect perceived stress.
RESULTS
Results of univariate linear regression analysis showed that neuroticism, harm avoidance, and novelty seeking were positively related to the PSS score in patients with bipolar disorder. However, agreeableness, self-directedness, extraversion, cooperativeness, and conscientiousness subscales were negatively related to the PSS score. In depressive patients as well, harm avoidance and neuroticism were positively related to the PSS score. Reward dependence, extraversion, agreeableness, self-directedness, and cooperativeness were negatively related to the PSS score. In multivariate linear analysis, self-directedness and extraversion were negatively associated with the PSS score in bipolar patients.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that personality traits associated with perceived stress may differ according to the subtypes of mood disorders. In addition, consideration of the differences in personality subtypes that affect perceived stress is probably required in order to establish strategies for decreasing perceived stress in mood disorder.

Keyword

Personality; Perceived stress; Stress vulnerability; Depressive disorder; Bipolar disorder

MeSH Terms

Bipolar Disorder
Depressive Disorder
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Extraversion (Psychology)
Humans
Linear Models
Mood Disorders*
Reward
Temperament

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