Consistent with Kraepelin’s (1921) retrospective observations, prospective longitudinal data indicate that depressive personality traits precede the onset of depressive disorders. Kwon et al. (2000) found that young women with depressive personality and no comorbid Axis I and II disorders had a significantly increased risk of developing dysthymic disorder (but not MDD) over the course of a three-year follow-up. Taken together with the twin and family studies, these findings provide compelling support for the precursor model. In addition, in light of the conceptual issue regarding traits and states raised above for the continuum/spectrum and precursor models, it is noteworthy that depressive personality is most closely associated with chronic forms of depression at both the family and individual levels.
