The Effects of Temperament and Character on Symptoms of Depression in a Chinese Nonclinical Population

Zi Chen,Xi Lu,Toshinori Kitamura

doi:10.1155/2011/198591

Abstract

Objective. To examine the relations between personality traits and syndromes of depression in a nonclinical Chinese population. Method. We recruited 469 nonclinical participants in China. They completed the Chinese version temperament and character inventory (TCI) and self-rating depression scale (SDS). A structural equation model was used to rate the relation between seven TCI scales and the three SDS subscale scores (based on Shafer's meta-analysis of the SDS items factor analyses). This was based on the assumption that the three depression subscales would be predicted by the temperament and character subscales, whereas the character subscales would be predicted by the temperament subscales. Results. The positive symptoms scores were predicted by low self-directedness (SD), cooperativeness (C), reward dependence (RD), and persistence (P) as well as older age. The negative symptoms scores were predicted only by an older age. The somatic symptoms scores were predicted by high SD. Conclusion. Syndromes of depression are differentially associated with temperament and character patterns. It was mainly the positive symptoms scores that were predicted by the TCI scores. The effects of harm avoidance (HA) on the positive symptoms scores could be mediated by low SD and C.

Highlights

Depression is the most prevalent mental disorder in many countries
In order to analyse the relationship of depression syndrome and temperament and character scales, we examined means, SDs, and internal consistency of all the variables used in this study
Between temperament and character subscales, NS and harm avoidance (HA) were inversely correlated with SD and C; reward dependence (RD) was correlated with C; P was correlated with SD, C, and ST

Summary

Introduction

Depression is the most prevalent mental disorder in many countries. Personality has been extensively studied as a risky factor of depression. One of the most promising theories to understand depression from the personality perspective is Cloninger’s biosocial personality model This has come from behavioral genetics, neuropharmacology, and psychology, and it gives insight into the aetiology of depression [1,2,3]. This model posits seven personality traits: four temperament dimensions (novelty seeking (NS), harm avoidance (HA), reward dependence (RD), and persistence (P)) and three cha- ̊acter dimensions (self-directedness (SD), cooperativeness (C), and self-transcendence (ST)). Temperament is determined by genetic structure and manifests itself as a heritable component of one’s behaviour Such interaction of the two dimensions enhances cognitive learning of an individual’s selfconcept throughout the lifespan [4]

Methods

Results

Conclusion