Three working hypotheses have been proposed regarding the causal links between neuroticism and mental disorders. It seems likely that these hypotheses are not mutually exclusive, but refer to mechanisms that work together to foster mental disorders. First, there is substantial evidence that the same genes that influence neuroticism also influence the many different mental disorders that are strongly correlated with neuroticism. Second, persons higher in neuroticism appear to be more likely to experience stressful events and have less social support. Third, it is possible that neuroticism is associated with more pronounced and less well-regulated emotional responses to stressful events.
