Personality traits influence clinical outcome in day hospital-treated elderly depressed patients.
OBJECTIVE
Although personality traits are considered significant predictors of both physical and mental health, their specific impact on treatment outcome in elderly patients with depression remains largely unexplored. Impact of personality traits on the evolution of depressive symptoms, quality of life, and perception of clinical progress was assessed in a psychotherapeutic community.


METHODS
A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in 62 elderly outpatients.


METHODS
Day hospital treatment as usual combined group and individual therapies, pharmacological treatment, as well as family and network meetings.


METHODS
Patients presented with major depression or a depressive episode of bipolar disease.


METHODS
The Geriatric Depression Scale, the Short Form Survey, and the Therapeutic Community Assessment scale were administrated at admission, 3, 6, 12 months, and at discharge. Personality was evaluated with the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory.


RESULTS
Outcome revealed reduced depression and improved mental quality of life and clinical progress. Higher Geriatric Depression Scale scores were found in individuals with higher levels of Neuroticism (and its Vulnerability facet). Better self-perception of clinical progress was observed in individuals with lower levels of the Depressiveness and Modesty facets and higher openness to action. Improvement in quality of life was predicted by high Positive emotions facet. All these associations remained significant after controlling for age, gender, and treatment length.


CONCLUSIONS
Personality traits may predict clinical outcome in psychotherapeutic hospital day care for elderly patients with depression.
Canuto
Alessandra
A
Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. Alessandra.Canuto@hcuge.ch
Giannakopoulos
Panteleimon
P
Meiler-Mititelu
Corina
C
Delaloye
Christophe
C
Herrmann
François R
FR
Weber
Kerstin
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents