Neuroticism and extraversion mediate the relationship between having a sibling with developmental disabilities and anxiety and depression symptoms

Abstract

Background Children growing up with a sibling with disabilities report higher levels of depression and anxiety symptoms as adults. Here, we examined whether personality characteristics also play a part in mediating this relationship. Method We tested for differences in personality traits between 132 individuals who have a sibling with developmental disabilities and 132 closely matched comparisons. Results Differences in Big Five factors of personality were demonstrated across the disability groups and between the disability groups and the comparisons, especially in Extraversion, Neuroticism and Openness. Individuals growing up alongside a sibling with developmental disabilities have a higher tendency to experience anxiety and depression symptoms, and this research is the first demonstration that personality traits mediate this relationship. Specifically, Neuroticism is a strong mediator of anxiety while both Neuroticism and Extraversion contribute mediating effects toward the development of depression. Limitations Our study made use of self-report methodology which, although having recognized limitations, is more reliable than parental reports. Given the cross-sectional nature of our design, we were not able to examine pre-existing developmental factors that may have influenced the participant's propensity to particular personality traits and affective disorders. However, we obtained a large sample and closely matched participants to examine differences between those with a sibling with disabilities and those without. Conclusions As such, differences in personality traits have important implications for the understanding and treatment of siblings presenting with anxiety and depression symptoms. We recommend that intervention should target those high in Neuroticism among individuals who have a sibling with disabilities, and that more social support is put in place for siblings to mitigate their tendency towards introversion and buffer them against psychological maladjustment.

The mediating role of regulatory emotional self‐efficacy on negative emotions during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study

“…First, abundant evidence links personality with negative emotions. Relationships between personality and negative emotions can theoretically be organized in several ways (Akiskal et al 1983; Murray & O'Neill 2019; Segerstrom & Smith 2019). Our study also found that introversion–extroversion and neuroticism can predict depression directly.…”

“…Extraversion and neuroticism also contribute mediating effects towards the development of depression and anxiety. Specifically, neuroticism has been suggested to be a strong mediator of anxiety (Grav et al 2012; Murray & O'Neill 2019). Moreover, the presence of psychoticism predicted motivational–somatic symptoms of depression (García‐Torres & Alós 2014).…”

The Relationship Between Personality Traits and Coping Strategies in a Sample of Siblings of People With and Without Intellectual Disability: The Mediating Role of Sibling Relationship Quality

“…In this way, relationships with brothers and sisters contribute to the development of their personality traits and the development of coping strategies. In particular, a positive relationship with brothers and sisters, characterized by low conflict and high levels of closeness and affection, seems to predict personality traits such as extraversion and openness [4] and more adaptive coping strategies [5,10,14,18]. However, as far as we are aware, this was the first study to test the moderating role of the quality of the relationship with brothers and sisters between personality traits and coping strategies in individuals raised with typical development siblings and siblings with disabilities.…”

“…As mentioned above, growing up with an S-ID can have an effect on the psychological growth of individuals and could exacerbate certain personality traits. Recent research [4] has shown that adults who have grown up with an S-ID tend to have higher levels of (N) and (O) and lower levels of (E), and these traits may pose a risk of distress and a reduction in the psychological wellbeing of adult S-TDs. Some evidence, derived from typical development dyads, supports an association between personality traits and the quality of the relationship with their brothers or sisters and TD in adulthood.…”

Analysis of Emotion and Recall in COVID-19 Advertisements: A Neuroscientific Study

“…Similarly, extroversion and neuroticism cooperate as a mediating effect in the development of depression and anxiety. Specifically, research evidence [40,41] suggests that neuroticism is a potent mediator of anxiety.…”