Node Smith, ND

These Personality Traits May Offer Protection from Anxiety and Depression…

A new research study has found that the personality traits of extraversion and conscientiousness may have a protective effect against depression and anxiety.¹ It is generally known that high levels of neuroticism predispose people to depression or anxiety, or both. However, if those same individuals are also very extraverted and conscientious they could have a certain level of protection against mental illness. This is a part of a new line of questioning that looks at how multiple layers of personality impact specific symptoms.

The “Big Five” Personality Traits

The research is looking at a basic model of personality which includes the “Big Five” personality traits: neuroticism, conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, and agreeableness. The findings of the current study, published in the Journal of Research in Personality, suggest a value in re-framing a traditional focus on single personality traits to looking at how combinations of traits may be operating synergistically to either predict, or prevent, clinical symptoms. “We know individually how these traits relate to symptoms, but now we are beginning to understand how the traits might impact one another,” states Kristin Naragon-Gainey, the paper’s lead author and assistant professor in UB’s Department of Psychology.

Neuroticism is marked by a tendency to experience various negative emotions, such as worry, fear, anger, frustration, envy, jealousy, guilt, and loneliness, as well as to react strongly to stress. But everyone expresses all of the personality traits on a continuum, which means that some predominantly neurotic individuals also have varying degrees of extraversion – a tendency to be very social. Conscientiousness is a measure of goal-orientation, organization, and this personality refrains from impulsivity.

The Study

The study looked at 463 adults who had been seen for psychiatric care within the previous 2 years. Numerous questionnaires were utilized to assess mental status as well as personality. The study looked at the 3 traits of neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness, because these have been seen to have the strongest associations with mood and anxiety disorders.

The Findings

The findings that extraversion and conscientiousness may protect against anxiety and depression even in predominantly neurotic individuals may have to do with the increased socialization these two personalities promote. Increased extraversion and conscientiousness may help individuals build effective and supportive social networks. These individuals may also have an increased tendency to engage in activities that are meaningful and purposeful, and depend on social networks in times of stress. These are all elements which are well known to prevent depression and anxiety.

Source:

1.Williams TF, Simms LJ. Personality Traits and Maladaptivity: Unipolarity vs. Bipolarity. J Pers. 2017

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Node Smith, ND, is a naturopathic physician in Portland, OR and associate editor for NDNR. He has been instrumental in maintaining a firm connection to the philosophy and heritage of naturopathic medicine among the next generation of docs. He helped found the first multi-generational experiential retreat, which brings elders, alumni, and students together for a weekend camp-out where naturopathic medicine and medical philosophy are experienced in nature. Four years ago he helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic ReVitalization (ANR), for which he serves as the board chairman. ANR has a mission to inspire health practitioners to embody the naturopathic principles through experiential education. Node also has a firm belief that the next era of naturopathic medicine will see a resurgence of in-patient facilities which use fasting, earthing, hydrotherapy and homeopathy to bring people back from chronic diseases of modern living; he is involved in numerous conversations and projects to bring about this vision.