Transactions between N/NE and environmental contexts have received the most attention in the literature (Ormel & de Jong 1999, van Os & Jones 1999). N/NE shows reciprocal relations with a range of significant life experiences, such as initiation and break-up of a committed relationship, relationship quality, occupational attainment, and financial security (Neyer & Lehnart 2007, Roberts et al. 2003, Scollon & Diener 2006). Furthermore, N/NE has been repeatedly implicated in the generation of stressful life events (Kercher et al. 2009, Lahey 2009, Middeldorp et al. 2008), which suggests an environmentally mediated relationship between this trait and depression. The environmentally moderated mechanism has also received support, as several studies found that N/NE interacts with stressful life events to predict first onset of major depression (Kendler et al. 2004, Ormel et al. 2001, van Os & Jones 1999).
