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Does Personality Predict Long-Term Outcome in Depression?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Conor F. Duggan ,
Alan S. Lee  and
Robin M. Murray
Conor F. Duggan*
Affiliation:
Genetics Section, Institute of Psychiatry
Alan S. Lee
Affiliation:
University Hospital, Nottingham
Robin M. Murray
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry and Kings College Hospital
*
∗Genetics Section, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5
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Abstract

In 1965/66, a consecutive series of 89 in-patients with depression were interviewed, given two personality tests (the EPI and LOI), and were accorded a score on a neurotic-psychotic continuum (Dl). Eighteen years later, the series was followed up and the predictive power of the original data was determined. High neuroticism scores on the EPI on recovery and particularly when ill but referring to the pre-morbid state were associated with poor overall outcome and chronicity. High obsessional interference scores on the LOI on recovery were also associated with poor long-term outcome, impaired social adjustment, more time spent in hospital, and with the subsequent development of schizophrenic or schizoaffective episodes. High psychotic scores on the Dl were also associated with poor long-term outcome, a greater length of time spent in hospital, and with bipolar affective disorder, and this effect was independent of the personality measures.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 157 , Issue 1 , July 1990 , pp. 19 - 24
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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