Relationship Between Personality Measures and Perceived Mental Fatigability

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Perceived mental fatigability is a growing concern in aging populations.
• Understanding factors influencing mental fatigability is crucial for maintaining quality of life in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between specific personality traits and perceived mental fatigability in elderly men.
• To explore if conscientiousness, optimism, goal reengagement, and goal disengagement predict mental fatigability.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 1670 men aged 84.3±4.1 years.
• Used multivariable linear regression to assess personality measures against the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS) Mental scores.
• Adjusted for covariates including age, cognitive function, health status, depressive symptoms, sleep, physical activity, and goal disengagement.

Main Results:

• Lower conscientiousness (β=-0.91) and optimism (β=-0.63) were independently associated with higher PFS Mental scores (p<.0001).
• Higher goal reengagement (β=0.51) was also independently linked to greater perceived mental fatigability (p=.01).
• These associations remained significant after adjusting for multiple covariates.

Conclusions:

• Reduced conscientiousness and optimism, and increased goal reengagement, are associated with greater perceived mental fatigability in older men.
• Personality traits may serve as early indicators for fatigability risk in later life.
• Longitudinal studies are recommended to confirm the causal relationships.