The NEO Five-Factor Inventory: Latent Structure and Relationships With Dimensions of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders in a Large Clinical Sample

Abstract

The present study evaluated the latent structure of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO FFI) and relations between the five-factor model (FFM) of personality and dimensions of DSM-IV anxiety and depressive disorders (panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder [GAD], obsessive–compulsive disorder, social phobia [SOC], major depressive disorder [MDD]) in a large sample of outpatients (N = 1,980). Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) was used to show that a five-factor solution provided acceptable model fit, albeit with some poorly functioning items. Neuroticism demonstrated significant positive associations with all but one of the disorder constructs whereas Extraversion was inversely related to SOC and MDD. Conscientiousness was inversely related to MDD but demonstrated a positive relationship with GAD. Results are discussed in regard to potential revisions to the NEO FFI, the evaluation of other NEO instruments using ESEM, and clinical implications of structural paths between FFM domains and specific emotional disorders.

Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling of Personality Data

“…In three studies (Kritjansson et al, 2011;Mattsson, 2012;Meleddu et al, 2012), the CFA solution showed poor fit, whereas the ESEM showed good model fit. In five studies, the CFA models displayed poor fit and adequacy of the ESEM solutions would be dependent on the particular index focused on (Furnham et al, 2013;Marsh et al, 2009;Marsh et al, 2010;Perry et al, 2012;Rosellini & Brown, 2011). Specifically, the RMSEA indicated fit in both CFA and ESEM models, the CFI indicated a lack of fit for the CFA models and borderline fit for the ESEM models and the TLI evidenced poor fit regardless of the method used.…”

The Relation of Dysfunctional Cognitive Schemas and Personality Dimensions in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

“…Out of these five personality dimensions, Extraversion and Neuroticism are predictors of anxiety and other affective/psychological disorders (12)(13)(14). Further, Conscientiousness is positively correlated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (15). However, the one personality factor that best indicates the presence of anxiety/ depression is a low level in the Emotional Stability dimension (16).…”

Behavior of People: Role of Extraversion and Loneliness

“…This scale measures the overall loneliness of an individual. The items were measured on a 6-point Likert Scale ranging from 'very strongly disagree' (1) to 'very strongly agree' (6). A high score indicates higher loneliness and a low score indicates lower loneliness.…”

“…Results showed significant negative correlation between extraversion and depression. Reference [6] evaluated the relationship between NEO Five-Factor Inventory, and depressive and anxiety disorders. Structural equation modelling was used and it was found out that extraversion was inversely related to major depressive disorder.…”