A Longitudinal Examination of Anxiety as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Neuroticism and Dimension of Depression Among Adolescents.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship among neuroticism, anxiety, and depression in a sample of Chinese adolescents. A total of 1150 participants aged 14-19 years completed assessments of neuroticism, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. They had a baseline measurement, followed by six follow - up assessments one month apart over six months. A multi-wave longitudinal design was employed to capture the temporal dynamics of these constructs. Results from multilevel modeling indicated that higher levels of neuroticism were associated with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms over time. Anxiety was found to significantly mediate the relationship between neuroticism and depression, suggesting that neuroticism may contribute to the development of depressive symptoms indirectly via increased anxiety. This mediational effect was observed across different dimensions of depression, including depressed mood, positive mood, somatic and retarded activity, and interpersonal relationship issues. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathways through which personality traits such as neuroticism influence adolescent mental health. They highlight anxiety as a key target for early intervention strategies aimed at reducing depressive symptoms, particularly among adolescents characterized by high neuroticism. Future research should explore additional mediators and moderators to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the development of adolescent depression.