Surreal illustration of the link between depression and melanoma.

Melanoma and Mental Health: Unveiling the Depression Connection

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores the link between depression, personality traits, and the risk of melanoma, offering insights into prevention and quality of life improvements."

Malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, is estimated to affect millions worldwide. While factors like UV radiation and family history are well-known, the role of psychological factors has been less clear. Recent studies have indicated a link between psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, and the risk of melanoma, though the results have been inconclusive.

A new study from South Europe (Greece) published in Melanoma Research, delves deeper into this connection, exploring how depression history and specific personality traits, as measured by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, might influence melanoma risk and progression. This research aims to uncover potential psychological risk factors that could enhance our understanding of melanoma's etiology and improve health-related quality of life.

The study involved 106 melanoma patients and 106 sex-matched healthy controls from the Athens metropolitan area. Participants were interviewed about their medical history, lifestyle, and history of major depression. They also completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, which assesses personality dimensions such as extraversion, neuroticism, psychoticism, and the tendency to lie. This comprehensive approach allowed researchers to identify potential associations between psychological factors and melanoma risk.

How Do Depression and Personality Affect Melanoma Risk?

Surreal illustration of the link between depression and melanoma.

The findings revealed several significant associations. A history of major depression and high sun sensitivity were significantly linked to an increased risk of melanoma. Specifically, individuals with a history of major depression were found to have a higher likelihood of developing melanoma. On the other hand, higher scores in extraversion and psychoticism were associated with a decreased risk, suggesting that certain personality traits might offer a protective effect.

Interestingly, these associations were more pronounced among women. Decreased extraversion and psychoticism, along with a history of depression, were particularly strong predictors of melanoma risk in female participants. This suggests that women may be more vulnerable to the psychological factors influencing melanoma development.

Sun Sensitivity: Those with high sun sensitivity had a higher risk of melanoma.
Major Depression History: A history of major depression significantly increased melanoma risk.
Extraversion and Psychoticism: Higher scores in these personality traits were linked to a reduced risk.
Gender Differences: The associations were stronger in women, highlighting potential gender-specific vulnerabilities.

The study also explored the impact of these factors on disease outcome. While depression history and personality traits were associated with melanoma risk, they did not show significant associations with survival rates after a melanoma diagnosis. This indicates that while psychological factors may play a role in the development of melanoma, they may not significantly affect its progression once diagnosed.

What Does This Mean for Prevention and Well-being?

These findings highlight the importance of considering mental health as part of a comprehensive approach to melanoma prevention, particularly for women. While more research is needed to confirm these results and understand the underlying mechanisms, this study suggests that addressing depression and promoting positive personality traits could contribute to reducing melanoma risk. It also underscores the need for increased awareness and screening, especially for individuals with a history of depression and high sun sensitivity.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000380, Alternate LINK

Title: The Role Of Depression And Personality Traits In Patients With Melanoma: A South-European Study

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Melanoma Research

Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)

Authors: Helen J. Gogas, Maria A. Karalexi, Nick Dessypris, Antonios G. Antoniadis, Fotis Papadopoulos, Eleni T. Petridou

Published: 2017-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does a history of major depression relate to the likelihood of developing melanoma?

A history of major depression is significantly linked to an increased risk of developing melanoma. Individuals with a history of major depression were found to have a higher likelihood of developing melanoma compared to those without such a history. While this study highlights an important connection, it does not explore the biological mechanisms behind this association, which would require further investigation into areas like stress hormones or immune system function. It's also important to note that correlation does not equal causation, and other factors might contribute to both depression and melanoma risk.

Can personality traits influence melanoma risk, and if so, which traits are most relevant?

Yes, certain personality traits can influence melanoma risk. According to the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, higher scores in extraversion and psychoticism were associated with a decreased risk of melanoma. This suggests that individuals who are more outgoing or have certain personality characteristics may be less likely to develop melanoma. The study doesn't explore how these traits might be protective. It could relate to lifestyle factors associated with extraversion, like spending more time indoors, or the impact of personality on health behaviors such as seeking medical advice promptly.

Why does sun sensitivity increase the risk of melanoma, and how does it interact with other factors like depression?

High sun sensitivity increases the risk of melanoma because individuals with this trait are more susceptible to DNA damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The study showed a significant link between sun sensitivity and melanoma risk. While the interaction between sun sensitivity and factors like major depression wasn't explicitly detailed, the combination of high sun sensitivity and a history of major depression might further elevate melanoma risk. This could be due to the potential impact of depression on health behaviors, such as reduced adherence to sun protection measures or a weakened immune response to UV damage. It is important to adopt rigorous sun protection measures, like wearing protective clothing and sunscreen.

Are there gender differences in how psychological factors affect melanoma risk?

Yes, there are gender differences in how psychological factors affect melanoma risk. The study found that the associations between psychological factors and melanoma risk were more pronounced among women. Decreased extraversion and psychoticism, along with a history of depression, were particularly strong predictors of melanoma risk in female participants. This suggests that women may be more vulnerable to the psychological factors influencing melanoma development. However, the study does not delve into why these associations are stronger in women, which could be due to hormonal differences, varying coping mechanisms, or different levels of healthcare-seeking behavior.

If psychological factors influence melanoma risk, what does this mean for prevention and overall well-being?

The influence of psychological factors on melanoma risk highlights the importance of considering mental health as part of a comprehensive approach to melanoma prevention, especially for women. Addressing depression and promoting positive personality traits, as measured by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, could potentially contribute to reducing melanoma risk. It also underscores the need for increased awareness and screening, particularly for individuals with a history of major depression and high sun sensitivity. While the study demonstrates associations, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved and develop targeted interventions. This study does not address other possible interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy.