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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
10:13
Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Personality and incident disability in older persons
Kristin R Krueger1, Robert S Wilson, Raj C Shah
1Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. kristin_krueger@rush.edu
Age and Ageing
|June 22, 2006
Summary
High extraversion and conscientiousness may reduce the risk of developing disability in old age. These personality traits are linked to lower incident disability, offering insights into healthy aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Understanding factors influencing disability in aging is crucial for public health.
- Personality traits are increasingly recognized as potential determinants of health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the five major personality dimensions and the development of incident disability in older adults.
- To determine if personality traits predict the onset of limitations in activities of daily living.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 813 older Catholic clergy without baseline dementia or disability was studied.
- Standardized personality measures and annual disability assessments (Katz scale) were employed.
- Proportional hazard models controlled for age, sex, education, and clinical factors.
Main Results:
- Over 6 years, 31% developed incident disability.
- High extraversion was associated with an 85% lower risk of disability.
- High conscientiousness showed a 50% reduced risk of disability.
Conclusions:
- Elevated levels of extraversion and conscientiousness are linked to a decreased risk of incident disability in older age.
- These findings suggest personality may play a protective role in maintaining functional independence in later life.
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