젊은 여성의 정서기질 특성과 관련된 우울 취약성

Abstract

Affective temperaments might be traits that represent a diathesis for depression. The present study investigated gender differences in affective temperaments and their relationship with depression. Two hundred and six young Korean volunteers (109 male, 97 female) completed the Temperament Scale of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) and the Beck Depression Inventory. We conducted multivariate analyses of covariance for five affective temperament dimensions as dependent variables, with gender as a fixed factor, and age as a covariate. In addition, to identify possible predictors (affective temperaments) of depression, we created a linear regression model for the depression score. Female subjects had significantly higher depressive, cyclothymic, and anxious temperament scores than the male subjects. There was no difference in irritable and hyperthymic temperament scores between male and female subjects. The stepwise regression analysis showed that high levels of anxious, depressive, and irritable temperaments and low levels of hyperthymic temperament were significant determinants of depression. Women were more likely to have depressive, cyclothymic, and anxious temperaments. In particular, anxious and depressive temperaments in female subjects might contribute to making them vulnerable to depression. Affective temperaments might be an important predisposing vulnerability parameter for developing affective disorders.