Temperament and character dimensions as predictors of depression and anxiety [Depresyon ve Kayginin Yordayicisi Olarak Mizaç ve Karakter Boyutlari]

The relationships between depressive mood and anxiety and personality are highly complex. The purpose of the present study was to explore the relations between depressive mood and anxiety and personality characteristics in the context of Cloninger's seven-factor psychobiological model of temperament and character. More specifically, the present study investigated the relationship between the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in a sample of 241 working adolescents who have a risk developing depression and anxiety disorders. Correlations with the TCI and the BDI and the STAI were computed. To identify the predictor variables of depression and anxiety the stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed. Using LISREL, relationships were examined between personality dimensions, depression, a latent variable with two indicators (cognitive and somatic-affective) and anxiety, a latent variable with two indicators (state and trait). The analyses showed that personality scales HarmAvoidance and Self-Directedness correlated significantly with depression and anxiety. High "Self-Directedness" and low "Harm Avoidance" are probably protective factors against the development of depressive mood/ a depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder.