Mood instability is the distinctive feature of neuroticism. Results from the British Health and Lifestyle Study (HALS)

The predictive value of neuroticism for adverse mental and physical outcomes is well documented in the literature. As a construct, neuroticism itself needs to be further clarified because of its overlap with symptoms characterizing depression and anxiety. The goal of this study was to examine the factor structure of neuroticism, and using factor scores, to predict psychological health 7 years later.Using the 1984 British Health and Lifestyle Study (HALS), we factor analyzed neuroticism as measured by the Eysenck Personality Inventory Neuroticism subscale (n = 5940). Of these 5940 wave one respondents, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) scores (n = 3599) seven years later (1991) were dichotomized and regressed against neuroticism factor scores, baseline GHQ, and physical health variables.A three-factor solution was found for neuroticism that represented anxiety, mood instability, and low mood. Although these three factors were significantly correlated (r = .446 to .530, p < .0001), mood instability had the highest communality and was the strongest predictor of worse mental health (OR: 1.17, robust se: .06, p < .01) next to baseline GHQ.The results of the present study confirm those of a previous study that indicated mood instability as a distinct and clinically relevant feature of neuroticism.

► Mood instability is a conceptual nexus of neuroticism.
► Mood instability is one characteristic of anxiety, mood, and personality problems.
► Mood instability requires more study as a domain of mental health.