The early childhood temperament dimensions that have received the greatest attention with respect to depression are N/NE, E/PE, and behavioral inhibition (BI). BI refers to wariness, fear, and low exploration in novel situations (Kagan et al. 1987). It combines aspects of N/NE (fear and anxiety), E/PE (low approach), and conscientiousness (constraint/ effortful control) that do not have a direct analog in most models of adult personality.
