A Bivariate Latent Growth Model of Neuroticism and Depression Development

• In Event: Exploring Academic Outcome, Personal Traits, and Health Behavior: Analytical Accessibility and Advantages of Large-Scale Databases

Abstract

The present study sought to establish the longitudinal relationship between neuroticism and depression using bivariate latent growth models (BLGMs) and identify key covariates that modify this longitudinal relationship. No previous study has examined how additive childhood misfortune (ACM) and physical health (e.g., multimorbidity) simultaneously influences the trajectories of both neuroticism and depression in a population-representative sample. The results indicated that neuroticism trajectory demonstrated a significantly positive relationship with the depression trajectory. ACM predicted the initial levels and slopes of both neuroticism and depression. These results suggested that identifying individuals who experienced childhood misfortune as well as those who have multiple chronic diseases may help us better understand the dynamic longitudinal relationship between neuroticism and depression.

Authors

• Fangning Wang

• Jian Li, Kent State University