A study of premorbid personality and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in nursing home residents

Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2002 Aug;17(8):779-83. doi: 10.1002/gps.697.

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the relationship between pre-morbid personality and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Methods: we studied 58 subjects with dementia and depression and/or psychosis residing in 11 Sydney nursing homes cross-sectionally. Informal caregivers completed ratings of residents' pre-morbid personality on the NEP Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Information on BPSD was obtained using the BEHAVE-AD.

Results: higher neuroticism was predictive of delusions; higher agreeableness of hallucinations, aggressiveness, affective disturbance and overall behavioural disturbance; and higher openness of affective disorder.

Conclusion: our findings are inconsistent with previous research and clinical experience. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the association between personality and behavioural disturbance in dementia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Dementia / epidemiology*
  • Dementia / psychology*
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Homes*
  • Personality Assessment
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Personality Disorders / epidemiology
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Psychotic Disorders / epidemiology
  • Time Factors