. This research takes an intergenerational lifespan perspective to the development of trait psychological functioning. There are well-documented connections between Conscientiousness and Neuroticism and aging- related outcomes: Individuals who score higher in Conscientiousness and lower in Neuroticism have lower risk of Alzheimer?s disease and greater longevity. The association between these traits and better health begins early in life and persist across the lifespan. Early interventions to promote healthier trait development will lead to broad improvements in health and well-being and ultimately better aging outcomes. Yet, little is known about the early environmental origins of these traits that would be promising targets of intervention. Likewise, relatively little is known about how biological factors contribute to trait development across the lifespan. The present research brings together three established longitudinal studies of well-characterized cohorts to identify prenatal and childhood environmental factors (broadly construed) that contribute to the development of personality, the biological mediators of these associations, and the dynamics between prenatal/childhood factors and personality on a consequential health outcome ? the development and aging of cognitive functioning across the lifespan. Together, these three cohorts cover conception through older adulthood: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children covers pregnancy through age 12, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children covers pregnancy through young adulthood, and the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span covers middle through older adulthood. This research addresses three specific aims: (1) To identify maternal prenatal behavioral and clinical antecedents of temperament and personality traits and to test biological markers as one mechanism through which prenatal factors contribute to trait psychological functioning, (2) To identify childhood neighborhood antecedents of trait psychological functioning in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood and to test biological markers as one mechanism through which neighborhood factors contribute to trait psychological functioning, and (3) To test whether personality traits mediate and/or moderate the relation between the prenatal/childhood environment and cognitive functioning across the lifespan. The outcomes of this research will lead to new knowledge on the origins of the traits most relevant for healthy aging and suggest promising new targets for intervention.
. Conscientiousness and Neuroticism are personality traits that play a critical role in healthy aging. Individuals who score higher in Conscientiousness or lower in Neuroticism tend to have better health outcomes as they age. Identifying the early origins of these traits will facilitate interventions aimed at healthier psychological development, which will lead to significant improvements in health and aging across the lifespan.
| Sutin, Angelina R; Stephan, Yannick; Robinson, Eric et al. (2018) Perceived weight discrimination and risk of incident dementia. Int J Obes (Lond) : |
| Sutin, Angelina R; Stephan, Yannick; Terracciano, Antonio (2018) Psychological well-being and risk of dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 33:743-747 |
| Toschi, N; Riccelli, R; Indovina, I et al. (2018) Functional connectome of the five-factor model of personality. Personal Neurosci 1: |
| Sutin, A R; Stephan, Y; Terracciano, A (2018) Facets of Conscientiousness and risk of dementia. Psychol Med 48:974-982 |
| Stephan, Yannick; Sutin, Angelina R; Bayard, Sophie et al. (2018) Personality and sleep quality: Evidence from four prospective studies. Health Psychol 37:271-281 |
| Sutin, Angelina R; Stephan, Yannick; Terracciano, Antonio (2018) Facets of conscientiousness and objective markers of health status. Psychol Health 33:1100-1115 |
| Luchetti, Martina; Sutin, Angelina R; Delitala, Alessandro et al. (2018) Personality traits and facets linked with self-reported alcohol consumption and biomarkers of liver health. Addict Behav 82:135-141 |
| Luchetti, Martina; Terracciano, Antonio; Stephan, Yannick et al. (2018) Alcohol use and personality change in middle and older adulthood: Findings from the Health and Retirement Study. J Pers 86:1003-1016 |
| McCrae, Robert R; Sutin, Angelina R (2018) A Five-Factor Theory Perspective on Causal Analysis. Eur J Pers 32:151-166 |
| Stephan, Yannick; Sutin, Angelina R; Luchetti, Martina et al. (2018) Physical Activity and Personality Development over Twenty Years: Evidence from Three Longitudinal Samples. J Res Pers 73:173-179 |
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