The five factor model of personality in mixed anxiety–depressive disorder and effect on therapeutic response

Abstract 

Introduction

Patients with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder suffer the sub-threshold depressive and anxiety symptoms and their negative impact upon quality of life. This study evaluates their personality dimensions and the possible effect on treatment outcome.

Methods

The diagnosis of mixed anxiety and depressive disorder was based on a structured clinical interview in 80 patients. NEO inventory measured five personality dimensions. The depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS) was used to measure the severity of illness before and after the treatment.

Results

Neuroticism, disagreeableness and introversion traits were significantly more expressed among these patients compared to normal population. A significant decrease in the score of depression, anxiety and stress was observed in all patients receiving the treatment. The normalized T-score of the five personality dimensions could not predict the degree of the response to treatment.

Conclusions

This study describes the personality characteristics of patients with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder and beneficial effects of treatment of such patients to be independent from personality dimensions.

Keywords: Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, Personality, Treatment outcome