Life events and personality characteristics in depression

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Abstract
Evidence from many sources supports the view that stressful life events might be relevant for the onset and development of depression but their pathogenic role is still only poorly understood. One approach in trying to elucidate the role of life events in depression might be to study them from a multi-factorial point of view, taking into account the vulnerability of the individual experiencing them. Depressed patients (138) with a mean age of 45 yr participated in a study of life events and personality traits. It was tested whether aspects of aggression might interact with the occurrence and perception of external stressful events. Patients who scored high on outward aggression had experienced more stressful events, and patients who scored high on inhibition of aggression had experienced fewer, but more negatively. A combined study of the occurrence of life events and the personality characteristics of the patients experiencing them might enhance understanding the pathogenic role of life events in depression.