This article presents the results of research into the link between depression and personality. Depressive patients from an outpatients' clinic in Amsterdam were treated for a period of eight weeks using fluoxetine 20 mg/d. Every two weeks, the score on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was determined. Prior to the treatment, the NVM, the Abbreviated Dutch MMPI, was completed.

Initially, the research looked at the degree to which the personality characteristics were present and at whether there is a link between these characteristics on the one hand and demographic variables, seriousness of the depression and general well- being on the other. Another subject of research was whether there is a link between the personality characteristics and the sub-scales of the SCL-90. Finally, an investigation was conducted into a possible link between the personality characteristics which were found and the results of the treatment with fluoxetine.

The results of the research showed that somatization and extraversion of the NVM are linked to the seriousness of the depression as well as to the patients' satisfaction with their own bodies and the environment. However, the predictive value of the personality characteristics with respect to recovery from depression was shown to be low. At the end of the article, the authors argue in favour of repeated measurements of personality in future research in order to obtain a better picture of the personality (characteristics).