Psychiatry Investig.  2019 Dec;16(12):911-918. 10.30773/pi.2019.0160.

Differences in Personality, Defense Styles, and Coping Strategies in Individuals with Depressive Disorder According to Age Groups Across the Lifespan

• Oh M
• Kim JW
• Yoon NH
• Lee SA
• Lee SM
• Kang WS

• KMID: 2467295
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2019.0160

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.

Keyword

Depression; Personality; NEO-PI-R; Defense style; Coping strategy.

MeSH Terms

Checklist
Depression
Depressive Disorder*
Humans
Middle Aged
Young Adult