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Patterns and sources of personality development in old age
Christian Kandler1, Anna E Kornadt1, Birk Hagemeyer2
1Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|December 30, 2014
Summary
Personality changes in older adults show average increases in neuroticism and decreases in extraversion, conscientiousness, and perceived control. Individual personality differences are stable, but changes are environmentally driven, indicating plasticity in later life.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Gerontology
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Personality development continues throughout adulthood, but patterns in old age remain understudied.
- Understanding personality changes and their sources in later life is crucial for lifespan development theories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mean-level personality trends and individual differences in change among older adults.
- To examine the genetic and environmental influences on personality continuity and change.
- To explore the interplay between perceived control, personality shifts, and well-being in aging.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal twin study design with older adults (aged 64-85) assessed at two time points, approximately 5 years apart.
- Analysis of personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, perceived control, affect intensity) and well-being.
- Utilized twin data to differentiate genetic and environmental contributions to personality stability and change.
Main Results:
- Significant average changes observed: neuroticism increased, while extraversion, conscientiousness, and perceived control decreased.
- Individual differences in personality traits were stable, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
- Individual differences in personality *change* were predominantly driven by environmental factors, suggesting plasticity in old age.
- Changes in perceived control were linked to changes in neuroticism and conscientiousness, highlighting specific adaptation mechanisms.
- Well-being levels did not change on average, but individual well-being decreased with increasing neuroticism and decreasing extraversion, conscientiousness, and perceived control.
Conclusions:
- Old age is characterized by specific personality shifts, particularly in neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, and perceived control.
- While personality traits show stability, the *changes* in these traits in later life are environmentally influenced, indicating significant plasticity.
- Personality traits are strong predictors of individual well-being in old age, but well-being does not predict personality change.
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