The incremental prospective predictive power of parent-reported traits and facets in first-onset depression amongst adolescent girls

Abstract

Personality traits (e.g. neuroticism, conscientiousness, and extraversion) and facets (e.g. depressivity, positive emotionality, sociability and self-discipline) are known to predict depression onsets during adolescence. However, prior research predominantly relied on self-reported data, while it is important to understand the contributory role of parent-report as close informant. The present study addresses this gap by examining the prospective incremental predictive power of parent-reported personality measures on 550 adolescent girls. The same personality trait(s) and facet(s) rated by selves and parents at baseline (average age 14.4) were used to predict outcomes of depressive disorders during 72-month follow-up. After controlling for self-report and history of anxiety disorders, parent-reported higher openness (at trait level) and higher depressivity (at facet-level) independently and incrementally predicted first onset of depression amongst the adolescent girls. Findings validated a multi-informant methodological approach in personality assessment, as critical risk factor predicting depression onsets in adolescent girls.