Are There Personality Traits That Protect Against Depression?
Can a person’s personality condition them when it comes to developing a mental disorder? Is an extrovert less susceptible to suffering from a depressive disorder?
Recent studies point towards the idea that There are certain personality traits that protect a person from depression or other emotional problems. Throughout this article we will talk about what they are and see explanations about why they could prevent us from depressive disorders.
Although it is true that any person is susceptible to suffering from a depressive disorder, and although there are many factors that influence when developing depression, personality traits are among those that exert the most influence.
Thus, just as there are certain personality traits that make a person more vulnerable to developing depression, recent studies reveal that there are others that can have a protective effect on a person’s mental health
As for the traits that, along with many other factors, could favor the appearance of depression, there are neurotic personality, cyclothymic personality, and personality with obsessive tendencies.
Personality traits that prevent depression
Those people with neurotic personality traits They tend to experience many insecurities accompanied by feelings of inferiority. This way of being makes them more vulnerable to suffering from a type of depression known as dysthymic disorder. Which is distinguished by presenting low self-esteem and a melancholic and sad mood that lasts over time.
On the other hand, in the cyclothymic personality, the person tends to experience ups and downs in mood This oscillation, together with a series of external factors, can lead to the appearance of bipolar disorder in the person, in which the person goes from feeling deeply sad and depressed to periods of extreme happiness and expansiveness.
Finally, people with obsessive personality traits, extremely orderly habits, and being meticulous and perfectionist, they can develop situational depression. In which the person experiences short-term depression as a result of notable and unforeseen life changes.
On the contrary, whatever type of depressive disorder the person may suffer from, recent research has found a relationship between certain personality traits and a lower risk of suffering from depression.
These factors are extraverted personality and emotional stability :
1. Extraversion
We understand by extroversion or extroverted people, all those who They enjoy being with other people, they are sociable, they have an extensive network of friends and they have a great involvement with the outside world around them. In addition, they are action-oriented, energetic, assertive people whose attention is directed to the outside world and not so much to their own interior.
2. Emotional stability
Another personality trait that has recently been considered a protective factor against depression is emotional stability. Emotional stability refers to the ability that people have to remain mentally stable and balanced. If a person does not have this stability, they will tend to experience negative emotions more recurrently
What do the investigations reveal?
In a recent study, carried out by a group of psychologists from the University of Buffalo, a series of results were obtained that support the hypothesis that if a person is extraverted and applied, these personality traits offer protection against depression, even though neuroticism is his main personality trait
That is, even though a person has a predominantly neurotic personality (remember that neuroticism facilitates depression), if they are also extroverted this trait will weigh more when it comes to protecting them against depression.
The findings made in this research suggest that it is necessary to stop focusing on specific personality traits and look at how combinations of these traits can predict and protect the person against disorders such as depression.
The Naragon-Gainey study
As cited above, the team of research psychologists at the University at Buffalo, led by Professor Kristin Naragon-Gainley; They conducted interviews with 463 adult participants who had been in psychiatric treatment, at least, in the last two years before the interview.
After the interview, Participants completed a large number of psychological tests and questionnaires in which the traits of neuroticism, extraversion and conscientiousness were evaluated, since these three traits are those that present a stronger relationship with mood alterations and anxiety.
The results obtained in this study can shed light on how the combination of certain personality traits favor the development of certain emotional disorders such as depression or anxiety or, on the contrary, protect the person from them.
According to Professor Naragon-Gainey, high levels of extraversion are a strength for the person, since encourages social interactions and participation in activities that are rewarding This extraversion favors the creation of a stable social network through which to obtain support, as well as positive affectivity derived from interaction with social media.
In addition, high levels of conscientiousness or thoroughness They are highly related to the search and achievement of objectives, and to the implementation of plans. This is helpful in combating the rejection and avoidance that can accompany neuroticism.
Furthermore, thanks to these findings, psychology and psychiatry professionals will be able to reinforce, through psychological treatments, those personality traits that studies have indicated as protective.
