A study of premorbid personality and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in nursing home residents.
OBJECTIVE
to investigate the relationship between pre-morbid personality and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).


METHODS
we studied 58 subjects with dementia and depression and/or psychosis residing in 11 Sydney nursing homes cross-sectionally. Informal caregivers completed ratings of residents' pre-morbid personality on the NEP Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Information on BPSD was obtained using the BEHAVE-AD.


RESULTS
higher neuroticism was predictive of delusions; higher agreeableness of hallucinations, aggressiveness, affective disturbance and overall behavioural disturbance; and higher openness of affective disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
our findings are inconsistent with previous research and clinical experience. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the association between personality and behavioural disturbance in dementia.
Low
Lee-Fay
LF
Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
Brodaty
Henry
H
Draper
Brian
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors