Personality and health in Japanese older adults.
OBJECTIVE
Change versus stability of personality in late adulthood is an intriguing yet understudied issue. This cross-sectional study examined age and gender differences in Cloninger's biosocial model of personality, as well as their relation to health in a Japanese community sample whose age exceeds 50 years.


METHODS
Participants (N=330) completed the Temperament and Character Inventory and the General Health Questionnaire. MANOVA and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted.


RESULTS
Age-related decreases in Reward Dependence, Self-Directedness, Cooperativeness, and an increase in Self-Transcendence were found. Health was significantly predicted by Harm Avoidance and Self-Directedness.


CONCLUSIONS
Personality change in late adulthood tends to occur in environmentally-based character, in a pattern of gradual social detachment and internal spiritual growth. Personality is a stronger predictor of health than demographic variables.
Yu
Yong
Y
Graduate School of Education and Human Development, University of Nagoya, Nagoya, Japan. yuyong17@hotmail.com
Chamorro-Premuzic
Tomas
T
Tani
Iori
I
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002605:Character; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality / Q000145:classification; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament / Q000145:classification