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Personality changes in the aged. A longitudinal study with the MNT-scale
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|December 1, 1983
Summary
Personality traits like validity, solidity, and stability remained largely unchanged in individuals aged 70-79. However, men showed increased stability, while women had decreased validity, with low validity linked to higher mortality in men.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Gerontology
- Longitudinal Studies
Background:
- Sjöbring's personality dimensions (validity, solidity, stability) are crucial for understanding aging.
- Longitudinal data on personality changes in older adults is limited.
- Previous research often relies on cross-sectional designs, potentially skewing results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally examine changes in Sjöbring's personality dimensions in 70-year-old individuals.
- To compare personality traits between survivors and those who died before age 79.
- To investigate sex differences and variability in personality over time.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the MNT scales to measure personality dimensions in representative samples of 70-year-old men and women.
- Conducted a longitudinal follow-up at ages 75 and 79.
- Compared personality means and standard deviations between age points and between deceased and surviving participants.
Main Results:
- Personality dimensions remained largely stable between ages 70 and 79.
- Men showed a slight increase in stability (decreased personal involvement) and a decrease in solidity (increased dissociation).
- Women exhibited a small decrease in validity (lower mental energy), and low validity in men correlated with increased mortality.
Conclusions:
- Longitudinal tracking reveals subtle but significant personality shifts in late life.
- Cross-sectional studies may misrepresent personality development in older age groups.
- Specific personality traits, like low validity in men, may serve as indicators for health outcomes such as mortality.