PSYS 507 W3_POCNET

Abstract

  • This review explores the connection between personality traits and successful ageing (SA).

  • Addresses whether personality traits are related to SA and the mechanisms involved.

  • Personality aids in future planning and contributes to a sense of identity.

  • Investigates the stability of personality over time and its impact on health and well-being outcomes in favour of SA.

  • Findings encourage the development of new prevention approaches tailored for individual differences to promote SA.

Keywords

  • Personality

  • Successful ageing

  • Health

  • Well-being

Introduction

  • The increasing interest in gerontological research shows how individuals can age successfully (e.g., Jopp et al. 2016).

  • Identifies links between personality traits and SA.

  • Successful ageing is considered a multidimensional construct comprising physical, psychological, and social well-being.

  • Specific aspects such as health, functional status, cognition, emotional adjustment, positive affect, and social engagement are key dimensions of SA (e.g., Jopp et al. 2015).

Research Questions

  1. Are personality traits related to SA? And if so, how and why?

  2. Is personality stable over one’s life course? Does it change? Under what conditions?

Importance of Research Questions

  • Understanding how personality traits influence health behaviour, resource management, and identity development.

  • Investigating personality's role provides insights into resilience and coping with life challenges.

Methods

  • Systematic literature review of databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, SocioFile, Ovid, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Research Gate.

  • Search focused on keywords related to "successful ageing," "personality," "health," "well-being," and "quantitative studies."

  • 178 papers initially considered, resulting in 76 relevant quantitative studies published between 2000 and 2020.

  • Inclusion criteria focused on studies involving individuals aged 60 and above, excluding qualitative studies.

Results

  • Personality Defined by Models

    • The Five-Factor Model includes:

    • Conscientiousness (C): Traits of competence, orderliness, achievement-striving, and self-discipline are crucial for health-promoting behaviours (e.g., Bogg and Roberts 2004).

    • Neuroticism (N): Linked to negative emotions and unhealthy behaviours, increasing stress and risk for chronic diseases (e.g., Chapman et al. 2010).

    • Extraversion (E): Related to social networks and emotional regulation, but mixed results on mortality risks.

    • Openness to Experiences (O): Fosters cognitive engagement and adaptability, linked to cognitive function.

    • Agreeableness (A): Few studies show weak relations to SA, but can impact interpersonal relationships.

Findings on each personality trait:

Conscientiousness (C)

  • Associated with positive health behaviours and outcomes (e.g., Kern and Friedman 2011).

  • Individuals with high C tend to maintain better relationships due to trustworthiness.

  • Chronic low C levels linked to higher inflammatory markers and chronic stress (Chapman et al. 2011).

  • Pathological levels of C, such as perfectionism, can be detrimental to health (Fry and Debats 2009).

Neuroticism (N)

  • Defined by a tendency to experience negative emotions and stress (Costa and McCrae 1992).

  • Higher N shows links to poor coping mechanisms and unhealthy lifestyle choices, correlating with poorer health outcomes.

  • Identified risk factor for numerous chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s (Terracciano and Sutin 2019).

Extraversion (E)

  • Characterized by warmth, assertiveness, and positive emotions.

  • Links to a broader social network and emotional benefits.

  • Mixed findings regarding its effect on mortality; optimism linked to lower inflammatory markers.

Openness to Experiences (O)

  • Associated with cognitive flexibility and curiosity.

  • Linked to better cognitive functions and adaptability in older age.

  • Some genetic studies suggest relationships with mental health over life span.

Agreeableness (A)

  • Traits include altruism and compassion.

  • Limited direct research connecting A with SA.

Stability of Personality

  • Personality traits are relatively consistent over time, with studies indicating stability beyond age 30.

  • Longitudinal findings show consistent personality profiles and little variability in older age (Pocnet et al. 2011).

  • Changes occur during the transition from adolescence to adulthood, with a peak in stability observed in older ages.

Psychological and Social Factors

  • Personality traits influence how individuals interpret stressors, leading to different coping strategies.

  • Social support and quality of relationships identified as significant determinants of SA (Bischop et al. 2006).

  • Loss or changes in social roles can increase feelings of worthlessness and deteriorate health.

Potential Interventions for Personality Change

  • Exploring therapeutic approaches to improve personality traits can promote SA.

  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive training showed positive effects on personality traits related to health behaviours.

Discussion

  • Emphasizes the role of specific personality traits in facilitating positive functioning across lifespan.

  • The interplay between genetic, behavioural, emotional, and cognitive factors maximizes understanding of SA.

  • Suggested development of interdisciplinary approaches to further investigate the dynamics of personality and SA.

Conclusion

  • Understanding personality’s role in SA has significant implications for health and adaptation throughout life.

  • Future research should explore longitudinal interventions enhancing adaptive personality traits and assess their impacts on SA.