title: Personality: a determinant in marital dissatisfaction in individuals with major depression and their couples.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prior research suggests that some factors account for the association between marital dissatisfaction and Major Depression. We examined whether personality determines the association between marital dissatisfaction and a First Episode of Major Depression (FEMD), and whether specific personality factors are linked to marital dissatisfaction depending on the outcome of the FEMD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale were administered both at baseline (T1) and six months later (T2), at 6 outpatient settings. We counted on the participation of 59 married couples with one member fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for a FEMD, and a healthy partner. Depressed participants also completed the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Certain personality factors mediate the association of a FEMD and Marital Dissatisfaction. “Neuroticism” mediates the association both at T1 and T2. However, the relationship between personality factors and Marital Dissatisfaction depends on the outcome of the Episode. If it has remitted by T2, personality might not be associated with marital interaction. However, if depression persists, “openness” and “conscientiousness” are related to less marital dissatisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most important mediating personality factor between marital dissatisfaction and a First Episode of Major Depression is “neuroticism”.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Psiquiatría y Psicología Médica Clínica Universidad de Navarra.
authors.forename: Adrián
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cano-Prous
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moyá-Querejeta
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martín-Lanas
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cervera-Enguix
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010551:Personality; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult