Abstract
This study examined the association between personality traits (as measured by the NEO-PI-R) and subjective ratings of mental and physical health (as measured by the SF-36) in two samples of older adults differing in health status (Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, BLSA, n = 393, vs. Medicare Primary and Consumer-Directed Care Demonstration, Medicare PCC, n = 648). The association between personality traits and subjective mental health did not differ significantly across samples. The association between personality and subjective physical health, however, was significantly stronger in the healthy BLSA sample than in the medically challenged Medicare PCC sample. Differences in health conditions and recent hospitalizations partially accounted for this effect. Lifespan developmental considerations and implications for the use of subjective health ratings as outcome measures in clinical studies are discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1334-1346 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Journal of Research in Personality |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aging
- Five-Factor Model
- NEO-PI-R
- Older adults
- Personality
- SF-36
- Self-rated health
- Subjective health
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- General Psychology