Examining the roles of neuroticism and extraversion with social support on depression : potential pathways to enhance mental health

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Hopkins, J., & Bennett, J. M. (2022). Examining the roles of neuroticism and extraversion with social support on depression : potential pathways to enhance mental health. Office Of Undergraduate Research Summer Research Symposium.
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Background: Depression is a common worldwide illness that affects the quality of life, alters brain structures, and can even lead to suicide. Over the past few decades, the increase in depression and depressive symptoms among college students has increased from ~10% to nearly 45%. Personality characteristics like elevated neuroticism or lower extraversion may influence the development of depressive symptoms or episodes. Additionally, greater social support can prevent the development of and treat depressive symptoms. In light of the ongoing pandemic, social support may be especially important for college students as they navigate the transition to adulthood. The purpose of this study is to examine if certain personality traits, along with differences in social support levels, are associated with depression in college students.

Method: College students (n = 601) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte completed an online survey about health from Sept 2020 thru July 2021. Personality, levels of social support and depressive symptoms were assessed using validated and reliable self-report questionnaires. Regression based analyses will be used to examine the main and interactive effects among neuroticism, extraversion, and social support on depressive symptoms.

Hypotheses/Expected Results: It is expected that participants reporting lower levels of social support, regardless of their personality type, will have greater depressive symptoms compared to those with higher social support. However, those with higher neuroticism and lower extraversion will be particularly sensitive to their level of social support, such that those with lower social support will be linked to the greatest levels of depressive symptoms

Details
Title

Examining the roles of neuroticism and extraversion with social support on depression : potential pathways to enhance mental health

Author(s)

Hopkins, Jasmine
Bennett, Jeanette M.

UNC Charlotte Affiliate Type

Undergraduate

Extent

1 online resource

Date Created

2022

Material Type

Conference poster

Genre

conference proceedings

Resource Type

text

Abstract

Background: Depression is a common worldwide illness that affects the quality of life, alters brain structures, and can even lead to suicide. Over the past few decades, the increase in depression and depressive symptoms among college students has increased from ~10% to nearly 45%. Personality characteristics like elevated neuroticism or lower extraversion may influence the development of depressive symptoms or episodes. Additionally, greater social support can prevent the development of and treat depressive symptoms. In light of the ongoing pandemic, social support may be especially important for college students as they navigate the transition to adulthood. The purpose of this study is to examine if certain personality traits, along with differences in social support levels, are associated with depression in college students. Method: College students (n = 601) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte completed an online survey about health from Sept 2020 thru July 2021. Personality, levels of social support and depressive symptoms were assessed using validated and reliable self-report questionnaires. Regression based analyses will be used to examine the main and interactive effects among neuroticism, extraversion, and social support on depressive symptoms. Hypotheses/Expected Results: It is expected that participants reporting lower levels of social support, regardless of their personality type, will have greater depressive symptoms compared to those with higher social support. However, those with higher neuroticism and lower extraversion will be particularly sensitive to their level of social support, such that those with lower social support will be linked to the greatest levels of depressive symptoms

Subjects--Topics

Depression, Mental
Mental health

Is Part Of

Office of undergraduate research summer research symposium

Language

English

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/work:751

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