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Neuroticism as a risk factor for schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2001

JIM VAN OS  and
PETER B. JONES
JIM VAN OS
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, University of Maastricht, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands; and Institute of Psychiatry, London and Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
PETER B. JONES
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, University of Maastricht, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands; and Institute of Psychiatry, London and Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
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Abstract

Background. Neuroticism has been shown to increase the risk of depression whereas extraversion is associated with a reduction of risk. These personality traits play a central role in aetiological theories of affective disorder but their role in schizophrenia is unclear. In this study, the risk for schizophrenia associated with neuroticism and extraversion was examined and quantified.

Methods. Neuroticism and extraversion rated at the age of 16 years were examined in relation to adult schizophrenia in a national birth cohort of 5362 individuals.

Results. Neuroticism increased the risk of later schizophrenia independent of the level of affective symptoms in adult life (odds ratio over three levels: 1·93, 95% CI 1·09–3·43), whereas extraversion reduced the risk (OR: 0·44, 95% CI 0·23–0·84).

Conclusions. Depression and schizophrenia may share personality risk-increasing and risk-reducing factors. Coping styles associated with particular personality traits may determine whether isolated symptoms progress to full-blown illness.

Type
Brief Communication
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 31 , Issue 6 , August 2001 , pp. 1129 - 1134
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press

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