Age-related patterns of variability in self-descriptions: implications for everyday affective experience

Intraindividual variability in self-descriptions was examined among adults ranging from 18 to 94 years old. Participants (N = 182) identified six trait dimensions central to their self-concept and, over the course of a week in an experience-sampling study, rated themselves along these dimensions at 35 randomly selected times. They also reported the social nature of the situation, their current emotions, and the familiarity of the situation. Intraindividual variability in self-description ratings varied by gender and age. For women, intraindividual variability decreased with age. In addition, women exhibited greater variability than men. For both genders, greater variability was related to greater intensity of negative and positive affect across all age groups.