Differences in Personality, Defense Styles, and Coping Strategies in Individuals with Depressive Disorder According to Age Groups Across the Lifespan
- Author:
Miae OH
1
;
Jong Woo KIM
;
Nan He YOON
;
Seong Ae LEE
;
Sang Min LEE
;
Won Sub KANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Depression; Personality; NEO-PI-R; Defense style; Coping strategy.
- MeSH: Checklist; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Humans; Middle Aged; Young Adult
- From:Psychiatry Investigation 2019;16(12):911-918
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the differences in personality, defense style, and coping styles among patients with depression according to age groups.METHODS: A total of 211 participants ranging from 19 to 81 years old were recruited for the study. To assess participants’ five dimensions of personality, the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R) was administered. In addition, the Korean-Defense Style Questionnaire and the Korean version of the coping checklist were administered to examine the defense and coping style.RESULTS: In the analysis of NEO-PI-R, the mean value of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Neuroticism showed significant differences between the young adult age group (20–34 years) and the late middle age group (50–64 years) (p<0.05). The young age group used more immature defense styles and made less use of problem-focused coping strategy than the old age patients (65 years and older) (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: In the young age group associations with lower Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, as well as higher Neuroticism than the late middle age group were observed. Moreover, the young age group had a higher usage of immature defense style, and restricted use of problem-focused coping style than other age groups.
