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A study of premorbid personality and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in nursing home residents
Author(s) -
Low LeeFay,
Brodaty Henry,
Draper Brian
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.697
Subject(s) - dementia , personality , nursing homes , psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , medicine , nursing , disease , social psychology , pathology
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. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.