The aim of this study was to determine whether personality neuroticism or extroversion traits are associated with post-stroke depression.
Method:
Ninety-four stroke inpatients undergoing rehabilitation were examined two months post-stroke for the presence and severity of depression and a retrospective assessment was made of life-time neuroticism and extroversion.
Results:
Depressed patients (N = 35) had higher neuroticism scores than non-depressed patients. Neuroticism was correlated positively with depressive symptomatology. Extroversion was not associated with depression diagnosis or depressive symptomatology.
Conclusion:
We conclude that personality neuroticism may be a risk factor for depression following stroke.
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