Structural Relation of Temperament and Character Components of Personality with Emotional Disorders

The aim of this study was to determine common factors and specific factors of anxiety and depression disorders are based on temperament and character components in Consigner’s model. The study sample included 313 patients who were selected by random sampling. Data from this study, using questionnaires temperament and character Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Anxiety Sensitivity Index, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory and Social Phobia Inventory were collected. For data analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling was used. Results from Structural equation modeling showed that Harm Avoidance factor has a significant relation with all anxiety symptoms also with Depression. Furthermore Harm Avoidance is the predicting factor for all Depression and Anxiety disorders. Results also showed, there is significant relation between Self-Directedness and depression. Moreover, structural model results showed that low Novelty Seeking is not specific factor for OCD and social phobia. The results showed that Harm Avoidance is common factor between anxiety and depression disorders and primarily is responsible for the observed overlap between these disorders. On the other hand, Results indicated that Self-Directedness factor is specific features of depression.