The comparison of dimensions of temperament and character in depressive patients and normal personals

Depression is one the most common mental disorders in all the cultures. Depression is a combination of feelings of sadness, loneliness, irritability, worthlessness, hopelessness. Researchers repeatedly have supported the association between dimensions of temperament and character with depressive disorder. The aim of the current study was to evaluate and compares dimensions of temperament and characterin individuals with and without depressive disorder. The statistical population of this cross-sectional study in 2011 included all individuals with major depressive disorder aged 24-30 who were referred to clinical center in Ardabil city, as well as the normal population of non-depressive individuals. Participants were 70 persons with major depressive, and 61 non-depressive persons. They were asked to complete demographic questionnaires, Beck depression inventory, and Cloningers temperament and character inventory. The data were analyzed by MANOVA and T multivariate regression using SPSS software version 16. Depressive individuals have significantly of novelty seeking, harm avoidance and self–transcendence; while, the patients had lower scores mean of persistence, cooperativeness and self-directedness than non-anxious group (P<0.001). Also, multiple regression analysis results showed that dimensions of temperament and character significantly explain 34 percents of the variance of depressive individuals. It was a significant relationship between temperament and character. Also, the findings suggest that dimensions of temperament and character are variables that influence the severity of depression symptoms.