Abstract
Personality pathology and social support have been linked to depression in older adults, but less is known regarding the relative influence of personality traits versus processes, such as interpersonal vulnerabilities, and whether these interact with social support. Social support has been theorized to buffer some effects of personality pathology on depression. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design to test whether pathological traits and processes contribute to depression, and whether social support may moderate the relationship between personality pathology and depression in older adults (N = 118). Participants were community dwelling adults between the ages of 60 and 95 (M=76.82, SD=8.75). Personality pathology was measured by characterological traits (NEO-FFI) and processes (IIP-PD-25); depression was measured by self-reported symptoms (GDS-30); and social support was measured by participant perceptions of engagement (LSNS-R), support (MIDUS-Support), and strain (MIDUS-Strain) in their relationships. In combined models, higher neuroticism (NEO-N, β= .547), and higher interpersonal problems (IIP-PD-25, β= .224) independently predicted depression. Higher neuroticism predicted both perceived support (NEO-N, β= .267) and perceived strain (NEO-N, β= -.208), and higher agreeableness predicted social engagement (NEO-A, β=.223). Social Support (MIDUS-Support), but not social strain (MIDUS-Strain), was found to moderate the relationship between personality pathology (NEO-N) and depression (GDS-30). The results of this study suggest that both personality traits and processes are linked to depression, and that social support may buffer the effect of personality pathology on depression in community dwelling older adults.