INTRODUCTION: Personality aspects have been mentioned as factors that may contribute for the development of depression in old age. This study aimed at examining the influence of personality in the onset of depressive symptoms in elderly women. METHOD: The study had a cross-sectional design and included 103 elderly women, aged between 60-86 years and with minimum schooling level of 7 years, attending the University for the Third Age (UNITI/UFRGS), using a convenience sample. All the participants signed a consent form and provided answers about sociodemographic information, personality factors (Factor Personality Inventory - FPI) and depression (Geriatric Depression Scale - GDS). RESULTS: Presence of two groups (clusters) with distinct personality characteristics was observed: one more preoccupied with the others (cluster 1) and the other more self-concerned (cluster 2). Although both groups did not meet the criteria for depression, there was a significant difference in total GDS score, in which the group more preoccupied with the others (cluster 1) presented more depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates an association between personality dimensions and depression in elderly women. The elderly women in cluster 1, who were more devoted to the others, more deferential, organized, persistent and interactive, presented more depressive symptoms in relation to those in cluster 2, who were more self-centered, less interactive and less dominant. Others studies are suggested.
Personality; depression; elderly women; old age
