Personality Variables in Depressed Patients and Normal Controls

Depressed patients (n = 46) were compared with normal controls (n = 42) for their scores on 7 personality variables measured on 4 personality questionnaires. The scores of the depressed patients obtained during the index depressive episode were significantly higher for introversion, neuroticism, and hostility, and significantly lower for self-esteem, than those of controls. Similarly, a subset of the female depressed patients studied when in remission and euthymic also had significantly higher socres than female controls for neuroticism and hostility, with a trend for significantly lower self-esteem scores. There were no significant differences on any of the 7 personality variables measured between depressed patients, with and without melancholia, or between patients with either unipolar or bipolar depression.