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Personality Pathology in Winter Depression: Prevalence and Treatment Trajectories in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Light Therapy.

Behavior therapy
March 1, 2023
Julia M Terman et al. (4 authors)
Randomized Controlled TrialJournal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to examine the effects of personality pathology on treatment trajectories in winter depression, comparing group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-SAD) and light therapy.

Results Summary

Personality pathology did not predict changes in depression outcomes over time in either CBT-SAD or light therapy, suggesting it is not a negative prognostic indicator for these treatments. Both treatments were similarly effective regardless of personality pathology.

Population

Adults with Major Depression, Recurrent with Seasonal Pattern (174 participants).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Pretreatment, weekly during treatment, posttreatment, and follow-ups one and two winters later.

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
-
neutral
personality pathology
adults with Major Depression, Recurrent with Seasonal Pattern
98/174 (56.3%) with any trait and 65/174 (37.4%) with any disorder
explored the prevalence
#1
-
neutral
Dependent personality
adults with Major Depression, Recurrent with Seasonal Pattern
65/174 (37.4%) elevation, 43/174 (24.7%) trait, 22/174 (12.6%) disorder
was the most common elevation
#2
-
increase
baseline depression scores
adults with Major Depression, Recurrent with Seasonal Pattern
-
predicted higher baseline depression scores
#3
group cognitive-behavioral therapy for seasonal affective disorder (CBT-SAD)
no change
depression
adults with Major Depression, Recurrent with Seasonal Pattern
-
did not predict change in depression
#4
light therapy
no change
depression
adults with Major Depression, Recurrent with Seasonal Pattern
-
did not predict change in depression
#5
Abstract

Personality disorders are highly comorbid with major depression; however, findings are mixed regarding their impact on depression treatment outcomes and trajectories. Limited research has studied personality pathology in winter depression, specifically. This study (1) explored the prevalence of personality pathology in winter depression and (2) examined its effects on winter depression treatment trajectories. Participants were 174 adults with Major Depression, Recurrent with Seasonal Pattern from a randomized clinical trial comparing group cognitive-behavioral therapy for seasonal affective disorder (CBT-SAD) and light therapy. Participants completed the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III; Millon et al., 1994) at baseline. The prevalence of MCMI-III-defined pathological personality traits and personality disorders in this sample was 98/174 (56.3%) with any trait and 65/174 (37.4%) with any disorder. Dependent was the most common elevation (65/174, 37.4%), trait (43/174, 24.7%), and disorder (22/174, 12.6%). Most participants with pathological personality elevations had only one personality disorder (58/174, 33.3%) and one pathological personality trait (82/174, 47.1%). Growth curve analysis revealed personality pathology predicted higher baseline depression scores, but the number of MCMI-III pathological personality elevations (i.e., traits and disorders) and personality disorders did not predict change in depression over the timeframe of pretreatment, weekly during treatment, posttreatment, and follow-ups one and two winters later in CBT-SAD or light therapy. Results suggest that personality pathology is not a negative prognostic indicator or prescriptive factor for winter depression treatment with CBT-SAD or light therapy, which may inform treatment algorithms and decision-making in practice.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultHumansSeasonal Affective DisorderPrevalencePhototherapyPersonalityPersonality DisordersCognitive Behavioral Therapy
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year1.0
Relative Citation Ratio0.60
NIH Percentile32.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.62
Normalized Score0.67
Related Supplements
Personality Pathology in Winter Depression: Prevalence and T... | Panacea Index