The relationship between depressive mood and personality: Comparison of the Beck depression inventory and the temperament and character inventory [Depresif duygudurum ile kişilik arasindaki i·lişki: Beck depresyon envanteri ile mizaç ve karakter envanteri'nin karşilaştirilmasi]

Objective: The relationships between depressive mood and personality are highly complex. The purpose of the present study was to explore the relations between depressive mood and personality characteristics in the context of Cloninger's seven-factor psychobiological model of personality. Method: More specifically, the present study investigated the relationship between the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory in a sample of 147 psychiatric patients with major depressive disorder. Findings: The personality scales Harm Avoidance, Self-Directedness, and Cooperativeness correlated significantly with the BDI scores. Similar correlations were also obtained in the BDI cognitive dimension. Discussion and Conclusion: High "Self-Directedness", high "Cooperativeness", and low "Harm Avoidance" are probably protective factors against the development of depressive mood or a depressive disorder.