Big 5 Personalities Impact on Clusters of Symptoms of Depression

Byrne, Ryan (2025) Big 5 Personalities Impact on Clusters of Symptoms of Depression. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

The present study aims to examine the association between specific big 5 personality traits and specific symptoms of depression. Previous research has shown to be inconclusive and only focuses on the broad label of depression, not the symptoms of it. A questionnaire was completed by participants (n=112), which questioned gender, age, personality scores on BFI-20 and depression symptoms in clusters (Affective, Somatic, Internalizing and Sensorimotor) on the PHQ-9. Results were not statistically significant for Affective, but Conscientiousness negatively predicted Somatic, Internalizing and Sensorimotor, Neuroticism positively predicted Somatic and Internalizing, and Open Mindedness positively predicted Internalizing, with Extraversion and Agreeableness not having an effect on any of the clusters. These findings help support certain preexisting findings, namely on Conscientiousness’s effect on depression, while being critical of other, namely the lack of effect by Extraversion. This may provide a better understanding of the causes of specific symptoms of depression as well as a new avenue of research for treatment via therapeutic personality change.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Supervisors:	Name Email Fox, Robert UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental Health
Divisions:	School of Business (- 2025) > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	07 Nov 2025 10:21
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2025 10:21
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/8876

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