Depression, Suicidal Ideation and the Big Five Personality Traits

Aim: This study explored the association of the Big Five personality traits (OCEAN: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism) with current depression and a history of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Methods: A sample of 115 undergraduate students in the United States was administered measures of the Beck Depression Inventory, and the 15-item Big Five personality Inventory. The students were also asked whether they had ever thought about suicide in the past and whether they had ever-attempted suicide in the past. Results: Four of the Big Five personality trait scores (conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism) were associated with depression scores, accounting for 36% of the variance in depression scores. Among the Big Five personality traits, neuroticism was positively associated with depression, while conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness were negatively associated with depression. Conclusions: The Big Five personality traits scores did not predict a history of suicide attempts in the sample of American students, but neuroticism scores were associated with a history of suicidal ideation.