Personality neuroticism and depression after stroke.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether personality neuroticism or extroversion traits are associated with post-stroke depression.

Methods: 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.

Conclusions: We conclude that personality neuroticism may be a risk factor for depression following stroke.