Neuroticism and negative affect measures as predictors of psychological distress.

In a year-long study, 106 students (78 women and 28 men, mean age 29 yr.) completed both a self-report Neuroticism and Extroversion inventory and a self-report positive and negative affect checklist at the beginning of an academic year. At the end of the academic year, prior to final examinations, they completed a self-rating scale for depression. The Neuroticism score was the only significant independent predictor of students' end-of-year levels of psychological distress.