Personality Pattern of Depression and its Relation to Acquiescence

The Personality Research Form (PRF) was administered to 35 hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of severe depression. In comparison with a control group, the patients were significantly higher in Abasement, Harmavoidance, and Succorance but significantly lower in Achievement, Dominance, Endurance, Exhibition, Sentience, Understanding, and Desirability. When the groups were compared by using scores on the true-keyed subscales, 5 dimensions showed significant differences which did not occur on the false-keyed subscales of the same dimensions. There were significant differences for 8 other personality dimensions on the false-keyed subscales which were not found on the true-keyed subscales. It was hypothesized that depressed patients exhibit an acquiescence response set which is specifically related to and dependent upon the content of the personality dimension tested.