Three-way interaction of neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness in the internalizing disorders: Evidence of disorder specificity in a psychiatric sample

Abstract

It is well-established that neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness are individually associated with internalizing disorders, but research suggests that these main effects may be qualified by a three-way interaction when predicting depression. The current study was the first to examine this three-way interaction in a psychiatric sample (N=463) with a range of internalizing symptoms as the outcomes. Using two omnibus personality inventories and a diagnostic interview, the expected three-way interaction emerged most consistently for symptoms of major depression, and there was also evidence of synergistic effects for post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Findings indicate that, even in a clinically-distressed and currently-disordered sample, high levels of extraversion and conscientiousness protect against distress disorders for those with high levels of neuroticism.

The Impact of Personality and Lifestyle Change on Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The particularly strong effect of neuroticism on distress was highly consistent with past research (e.g. Brow & Silver, 2009;Kotov et al, 2010;Naragon-Gainey & Simms, 2017). This finding is probably best understood as probable construct overlap between the DASS-21 and the neuroticism items of the BFI, as well as genuine exacerbation of distress for those higher in neuroticism.…”

“…Research has repeatedly indicated that personality traits are reliable risk factors for the experience of depression, anxiety, and stress (Pocnet et al, 2017;Vollrath, 2001). Specifically, elevated neuroticism is implicated in internalizing problems, while higher extraversion and conscientiousness are thought of as a buffer against them (Kotov et al, 2010;Naragon-Gainey & Simms, 2017). One metaanalysis concluded that experiencing clinically elevated psychiatric symptomatology was associated most with high neuroticism, followed by low conscientiousness, low extraversion, and low agreeableness, while there was no broad association with openness (Malouff et al, 2005).…”

The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Within the Relationship Between Neuroticism and Misophonia: A Preliminary Investigation

“…The mean score on the impairment subscale of the MQ was 5.21, suggesting that the sample reported mild sound sensitivity, on average. Overall, the sample obtained a total neuroticism subscale score of 117.56, which is approximately 1 SD below that reported in a sample of treatment seeking adults ( 38 ). The DERS subscale indicating non-acceptance of emotional response (NONACCEPT) deviated from a normal distribution [skewness of 0.21 (SE = 0.34) and kurtosis of −1.16 (SE = 0.67)], therefore, it was log transformed to reduce bias [skewness of −0.36 (SE = 0.34) and kurtosis of −1.05 (SE = 0.67)].…”

“…The mean score on the impairment subscale of the MQ was 5.21, suggesting that the sample reported mild sound sensitivity, on average. Overall, the sample obtained a total neuroticism subscale score of 117.56, which is approximately 1 SD below that reported in a sample of treatment seeking adults (38) Table 2].…”

Personality traits across the psychosis spectrum: A Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology conceptualization of clinical symptomatology

“…depression and anxiety) is more predictive of functional outcome in psychotic disorders than the thought disorder domain . Traits have been shown to interact to predict non‐psychotic syndromes, and a similar process likely occurs in psychotic disorders. By broadening the focus of psychosis research, we can consider the interplay between traits.…”