Level of personality functioning and maladaptive personality traits in relation to depression and anxiety symptoms in middle and older adults

A growing body of research suggests that personality pathology underpins various mental disorders and serves as a risk factor for developing emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety. This study examined how levels of personality functioning and pathological traits predict the severity of these symptoms in a community sample of middle and older adults (N = 530). The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire, Self and Interpersonal Functioning Scale, and Personality Inventory for ICD-11 were used. Regression analyses revealed that impaired identity and empathy significantly predicted anxiety symptoms, while only identity emerged as a predictor of depression. Self-direction and intimacy did not significantly predict either disorder. Negative Affectivity and Detachment were key predictors of anxiety, while depression was primarily related to Negative Affectivity. Variance partitioning analysis demonstrated that personality functioning and maladaptive traits independently and jointly contribute to symptom severity, with overlapping variance highlighting their interconnected roles in emotional pathology. These findings underscore the importance of assessing both personality functioning and traits when addressing emotional disorders, particularly during middle and late adulthood, a stage characterized by unique psychological and social challenges. Integrating personality assessments into routine mental health care can enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve treatment planning, and optimize outcomes for individuals with depression and anxiety.