Levels of neuroticism differentially predict individual scores in the depression and anxiety dimensions of the tripartite model: A multiwave longitudinal study.

The associations between neuroticism and depression and anxiety symptoms remain unclear possibly due to the lack of specificity and covariation among common symptoms. The current study hypothesized that neuroticism acts as a vulnerability factor for general distress (GD) and specific depression and anxiety symptoms. We investigated this hypothesis using the "tripartite model" (a well-known dimensional model of anxiety and depression). A sample of 644 college students was recruited from Hunan, China. In the initial stage of this investigation, the students completed self-assessment forms to measure their levels of neuroticism and frequency of daily hassles. The students also reported on their levels of GD and specific depression and anxiety symptoms. The same self-assessment procedure was undertaken once a month for the next 6 months. The results of the hierarchical linear model suggest a significant interaction between neuroticism and the level of stress caused by exposure to increased levels of daily hassles, which can be used as a predictor of future levels of GD and specific anxiety symptoms. However, the same interaction was not a significant predictor of specific depression symptoms. The current findings suggest that neuroticism may be a risk factor for specific anxiety but not for specific depression symptoms in face of stress caused by daily hassles.