Personality predicts cognitive function over 7 years in older persons.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether Neuroticism as well as the less-studied dimensions the Five Factor Model of personality (Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness) were associated with 7-year trajectories of cognitive functioning in older persons.


METHODS
Primary analysis of existing clinical trial data.


METHODS
602 persons of average age 79 at baseline.


METHODS
The NEO-Five Factor Inventory of personality, completed at baseline, and the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination measured every 6 months for 7 years.


RESULTS
Controlling for demographics, baseline morbidities including depression, health behaviors, apolipoprotein E4 genotype, and self-rated health, higher Neuroticism was associated with worse average cognitive functioning and a steeper rate of decline over follow-up. Higher Extraversion and lower Openness were both associated with worse average cognitive functioning prospectively, while persons higher in Conscientiousness showed a slower rate of cognitive decline.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to Neuroticism, other dispositional tendencies appear prognostically relevant for cognitive functioning in older persons. More work is needed to understand the mechanisms by which traits operate, as well as whether mitigation of certain dispositional tendencies can facilitate a better course of cognitive function.
Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Ben_chapman@urmc.rochester.edu
Benjamin
B
Chapman
Paul
P
Duberstein
Hilary A
HA
Tindle
Kaycee M
KM
Sink
John
J
Robbins
Daniel J
DJ
Tancredi
Peter
P
Franks
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data