Age differences in temperament, character and depressive mood: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
This study explores the effect of age on mean-levels of the personality traits defined in Cloninger's personality taxonomy, and investigates the relevance of personality traits for predicting depression levels in adults aged 18 to 94 years.


METHODS
We divided our sample (466 participants) into four age groups (young adult, adult, mature adult and elderly). Personality was measured using the Temperament and Character Inventory, and depression was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.


RESULTS
Analysis of variance showed mean-level changes for all the personality traits except Self-D. Post hoc analyses revealed a decrease in the level of novelty seeking with age and an increase in the level of self-transcendence for the two oldest age groups. Reward dependence was highest among the youngest participants, whereas harm avoidance was highest for both the youngest and the oldest age groups. Depression correlated positively with harm avoidance and age but negatively with self-transcendence.


CONCLUSIONS
Impulsiveness, curiosity and social dependency decrease with age, whereas spirituality increases. Young and elderly adults are more fearful and socially inhibited. Harm avoidance and self-transcendence are the most relevant personality traits for predicting levels of depression.
Trouillet
Raphaël
R
Department of Psychology, University of Montpellier III, Montpellier, France.
Gana
Kamel
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002605:Character; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012938:Social Perception; D029181:Spirituality; D013694:Temperament; D055815:Young Adult