Although we found no interaction between traits assessed continuously, the combination of scoring at the extreme of two traits may confer risk for incident depression. Thus, in our second set of analyses, we take a more clinical approach and test whether surpassing a certain threshold (1/2 SD above and below the mean) on two traits in combination predicted depression. We again used logistic regression to examine whether incident depression was related to baseline personality, controlling for the covariates (see Table 3). Six of the eight combinations that include low Conscientiousness were associated with subsequent major depression: undercontrolled (N+C−), lethargic (E−C−), and undistinguished (A−C−), at p < .01 and funlovers (E+C−), dreamers (O+C−), and reluctant scholars (O−C−) at p < .05. Only the relaxed (N−C−) and well-intentioned (A+C−) styles were not risk-factors. Thus, in combination with low levels of Conscientiousness, high and low levels of both Extraversion and Agreeableness confer risk and in no case did a style that included high Conscientiousness emerge as a significant protective factor. Not surprisingly, three styles that include high Neuroticism were associated with incident major
