Objectives:To investigate the influence of personality traits on depression and anxiety over the first three months after stroke. Methods:151 patients were interviewed at 2 weeks after stroke and followed after 3 months with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS) measured on both occasions. Personality traits were ascertained at the 3 month examination using the Korean version of Big Five Inventory, quantifying five personality traits : Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness. Influences of personality traits on HADS-depression subscale(HADSD) and HADS-anxiety subscale(HADS-A) at the two examinations were investigated using repeated measures analysis of covariance with adjustments for age, gender, education years, antidepressant use, stroke severity and physical disability. Results:There were significant group effects of extraversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness on the HADS-D scores(p=0.012, p=0.044, p=0.005, p=0.048, respectively) ; and of agreeableness, conscientiousness and neuroticism on the HADS-A scores(p=0.002, p=0.015, p<0.001, respectively). The agreeableness trait showed significant group by time interactions on HADS-A scores(p=0.046); and the neuroticism trait showed a tendency of group by time interactions on HADS-A scores(p=0.057). Conclusion:Depression and anxiety over the 3 month period after stroke was influenced by personality traits. Anxiety was particularly, increased in some personality traits over time. These findings emphasize the importance of evaluation of personality traits to manage depression and anxiety in stroke patients.