@article {11386, title = {The Association Between Five Factor Model Personality Traits and Verbal and Numeric Reasoning.}, journal = {Neuropsychology, Development, and Cognition. Section B, Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition}, volume = {29}, year = {2022}, pages = {297-317}, abstract = {

Five-factor model (FFM) personality traits are related to basic cognitive functions and risk of cognitive impairment in late life. The present study addresses whether FFM traits are also associated with a more complex cognitive function, reasoning, across adulthood. We used seven samples to examine the relation between personality and verbal (total =~39,177) and numeric (total =~76,388) reasoning. A meta-analysis indicated higher Neuroticism was associated modestly with worse performance on verbal and numeric reasoning tasks. Openness was associated with better verbal reasoning and was unrelated to numeric reasoning. Surprisingly, Extraversion was associated modestly with worse performance in both domains, and Conscientiousness was essentially unrelated to reasoning. Agreeableness was unrelated to reasoning. There was significant heterogeneity across the samples but only limited evidence for moderation by age or sex. Consistent with other cognitive domains, the results suggested that Neuroticism is related to worse performance globally, whereas Openness tends to be associated with better verbal abilities. Among the unexpected findings was the better reasoning of introverts. The pattern also suggests that the common positive association between Conscientiousness and cognition does not extend to reasoning and suggests that Conscientiousness may support healthier cognitive aging through basic cognitive functions rather than through complex functions like reasoning.

}, keywords = {meta-analysis, numeric reasoning, Personality Traits, Reasoning, verbal abilities}, issn = {1744-4128}, doi = {10.1080/13825585.2021.1872481}, author = {Angelina R Sutin and Yannick Stephan and Martina Luchetti and Jason E Strickhouser and Damaris Aschwanden and Antonio Terracciano} } @article {11625, title = {Cognitive Impairment and the Trajectory of Loneliness in Older Adulthood: Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study.}, journal = {Journal of Aging and Health}, volume = {34}, year = {2022}, pages = {3-13}, abstract = {

To examine whether the trajectory of facets of loneliness-emotional and social-varied by cognitive impairment status in older adulthood. Data came from the Health and Retirement Study 2008-2018 waves ( = 15,352). Cognitive impairment was assessed using standard cutoffs for cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) and dementia. The 11-item UCLA loneliness scale was used to measure emotional and social loneliness. Using multilevel modeling, we found that CIND and dementia status were associated with higher overall, emotional, and social loneliness, controlling for physical health, social contact, and depressive symptoms. The trajectory of loneliness did not vary by cognitive status. There were modest variations by sociodemographic factors. Persons with CIND and dementia experience heightened emotional and social loneliness, but cognitive impairment does not contribute to the worsening of loneliness. Older adults{\textquoteright} social integration may be maintained early in cognitive impairment.

}, keywords = {cognitive impairment, cognitive impairment no dementia, Dementia, Loneliness}, issn = {1552-6887}, doi = {10.1177/08982643211019500}, author = {Lee, Ji Hyun and Martina Luchetti and Damaris Aschwanden and Sesker, Amanda A and Jason E Strickhouser and Antonio Terracciano and Angelina R Sutin} } @article {11185, title = {Personality, Retirement, and Cognitive Impairment: Moderating and Mediating Associations.}, journal = {Journal of Aging and Health}, year = {2020}, abstract = {

Five-factor model (FFM) personality traits, including higher conscientiousness and lower neuroticism, are associated with lower risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. In this research, we test whether retirement status moderates and/or mediates the relation between personality and cognitive impairment. We used data from the Health and Retirement Study ( = 9899), a longitudinal study of Americans over the age of 50 years, to examine moderating and mediating associations between personality traits and retirement status on risk of dementia and cognitive impairment not dementia (CIND) over an 8-10~year follow-up. Personality and retirement each had strong, independent associations with risk of dementia and CIND. There were not, however, strong or consistent, moderating or mediating associations between personality and retirement predicting impairment risk. Overall, these results indicate that personality and retirement are independent risk factors for incident cognitive impairment. Mechanisms other than retirement are likely to explain this association.

}, keywords = {cognitive impairment, Dementia, longitudinal, Personality, Retirement}, issn = {1552-6887}, doi = {10.1177/0898264320969080}, author = {Jason E Strickhouser and Angelina R Sutin} } @article {10044, title = {Evaluations of a previous day as a pathway between personality and healthy cognitive aging}, journal = {Journal of Aging and Health}, year = {2019}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between Five-Factor Model personality traits and how individuals evaluate a recent day in their lives (yesterday) and whether these evaluations mediate personality and cognitive function over time.

METHODS: Participants were a subsample from the Health and Retirement Study who completed personality measures in 2008/2010, the day evaluation in 2011, and cognitive tasks in 2012 ( N = 3,454).

RESULTS: Lower Neuroticism and Higher Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness were associated with a more engaging day, fewer negative feelings, better subjective health, and less time spent alone. Active engagement and subjective health were associated with cognitive function and mediated the prospective associations between Neuroticism, Openness, and Conscientiousness and cognitive function.

DISCUSSION: Personality is associated with how individuals evaluated their previous day, which contributes to cognition over time. The present research contributes to a mechanistic model that aims to identify pathways through which personality contributes to cognitive aging.

}, keywords = {Cognition \& Reasoning, Personality, Self Report}, issn = {1552-6887}, doi = {10.1177/0898264319843451}, author = {Angelina R Sutin and Yannick Stephan and Damaris Aschwanden and Martina Luchetti and Jason E Strickhouser and Antonio Terracciano} }