Testing explanatory models of the interplay between depression, neuroticism, and stressful life events: a dynamic trait-stress generation approach.
BACKGROUND
Classic conceptual frameworks explaining the relationship of personality traits to depression include the precursor and predisposition models. The former hypothesizes that depression is predicted by traits alone whereas the latter hypothesizes that stress, together with personality, predicts depression. Dynamic vulnerability models (DVM) expand on these perspectives by incorporating fluctuations in personality over time. The stress generation model provides an alternative view, positing that depression generates stress, creating a self-perpetuating cycle. However, these conceptual models are rarely directly compared.


METHOD
We tested these models, focusing on neuroticism and stressful life events that the participant may have contributed to, using path analysis in a sample of 550 never-depressed, adolescent females assessed five times over 3 years.


RESULTS
A dynamic precursor model with stress generation was best supported. For the precursor component, neuroticism predicted subsequent depression across four assessment intervals. For the dynamic trait component, stressful life events predicted subsequent neuroticism at three of four intervals. Finally, in line with stress generation, depression consistently predicted subsequent stressful life events, and life events then predicted depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Finding support for the DVM is noteworthy, as this is the first comprehensive test of this model. Moreover, results supported integrating stress generation with trait vulnerability. Continued use of integrated approaches and refining the statistical implementation of these theories is necessary to advance understanding of the development of depression.
['Goldstein|Brandon L|BL|0000-0002-7003-2281', 'Perlman|Greg|G|', 'Eaton|Nicholas R|NR|', 'Kotov|Roman|R|', 'Klein|Daniel N|DN|']
D000293:Adolescent D017668:Age of Onset D001008:Anxiety Disorders D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D003866:Depressive Disorder D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007389:Internal-External Control D008016:Life Change Events D008960:Models, Psychological D000075384:Neuroticism D010553:Personality Development D011599:Psychopathology D012307:Risk Factors D012647:Self-Assessment D013315:Stress, Psychological
depression neuroticism stressful life events precursor predisposition dynamic vulnerability stress generation Adolescence developmental psychopathology