title: Personality as a determinant of social functioning in depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale (SASS) is an instrument for measuring drive-based aspects of social functioning and has been used in trials of antidepressants. It has been suggested that social adaptation may be akin to a personality trait. We investigated the personality dimensions of neuroticism and extraversion as determinants of social functioning measured by SASS in patients with depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients seen at a tertiary mood disorders unit were assessed using SASS, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Inventory of Depressive Symptoms-Self-Rated (IDS-SR) and Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a sample of 80 depressed outpatients, we found that extraversion made the largest unique contribution to social functioning followed by self-rated severity of depression. Neuroticism and other clinical and demographic variables were not significant predictors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Social functioning as measured by SASS is predicted by extraversion and severity of depression. Personality traits should be taken into account when assessing social functioning in depression.
authors.affiliation: Affective Disorders Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham BR3 3BX, UK.
authors.forename: Gopinath
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ranjith
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farmer
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McGuffin
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cleare
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents