Influence of Personality Traits, Type of Amputation and Duration of Amputation on Depression Among Amputees in Makurdi Metropolis, Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of personality traits, type of amputation, and duration of amputation on depression among amputees in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Participants were 107 adult amputees receiving treatment at Federal Medical Centre Makurdi and Benue State University Teaching Hospital. Participants were selected using purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Data were collected using the Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI) and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Multiple linear regression and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to test the hypotheses. Findings showed that personality traits significantly influenced depression among amputees, accounting for 8.9% of the variance in depression. Conscientiousness and neuroticism made significant contributions to depression, whereas openness, extraversion, and agreeableness did not make significant independent contributions. A significant difference was also found in depression based on type of amputation, F(2, 98) = 8.234, p < .01. Upper-limb amputees recorded the highest depression scores (M = 81.36, SD = 13.75), followed by multiple amputees (M = 75.00, SD = 4.24) and lower-limb amputees (M = 68.90, SD = 15.95). Furthermore, depression differed significantly according to duration of amputation, F(3, 96) = 18.884, p < .01. Participants with amputations lasting more than one year recorded the highest mean depression score (M = 84.80, SD = 11.19), while those with 1–5 months recorded the lowest (M = 60.23, SD = 11.72). The study concludes that personality characteristics, type of amputation, and duration of amputation are important factors associated with depression among amputees. Routine psychological screening and integrated psychosocial rehabilitation are recommended.