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Long-term stability in the Big Five personality traits in adulthood
Johanna Rantanen1, Riitta-Leena Metsäpelto, Taru Feldt
1Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. johanna.rantanen@.jyu.fi
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
|November 22, 2007
Summary
Personality traits show significant changes in adulthood. While Neuroticism decreased, other traits like Extraversion and Openness increased between ages 33 and 42, with varying stability by gender.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Personality traits are fundamental to understanding human behavior.
- Longitudinal studies are crucial for tracking personality development across the lifespan.
- Previous research indicates personality can change throughout adulthood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the mean-level changes in the Big Five personality traits from age 33 to 42.
- To investigate gender differences and similarities in the rank-order stability of these traits over a 9-year period.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development.
- Employed Structural Equation Modeling to analyze personality trait stability.
- Assessed participants (89 men, 103 women) over a 9-year interval.
Main Results:
- Mean-level Neuroticism decreased, while Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness increased.
- Neuroticism and Extraversion showed higher rank-order stability in men compared to women.
- Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness exhibited similar stability across genders.
Conclusions:
- The Big Five personality traits exhibit both change and stability in adulthood.
- Gender moderates the rank-order stability of certain personality traits.
- Personality development continues into middle adulthood, with distinct patterns for different traits.
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