Personality profile of the children of long-lived parents.

TitlePersonality profile of the children of long-lived parents.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsAntoniou, EE, Dutta, A, Langa, KM, Melzer, D, Llewellyn, DJ
JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
Volume68
Issue5
Pagination730-8
Date Published2013 Sep
ISSN Number1758-5368
KeywordsAged, Extraversion, Psychological, Fathers, Female, Health Status, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Longevity, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Mothers, Parents, Personality, Personality Inventory, Sex Factors
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Past research has shown that parental longevity is related to offspring physical health and longevity. Preliminary studies suggest that parental longevity may be linked to the offspring's personality traits. A comprehensive 5-factor personality model has been related to physical health, but the association with parental longevity has not yet been investigated. We used a 5-factor personality model to investigate the relationship between parental longevity and offspring personality.

METHOD: Data from the longitudinal Health and Retirement Study (HRS) was used in the analyses. Using the Midlife Development Inventory and the Life Orientation test, the relationship between parental attained age and offspring personality was assessed using regression models for both men and women.

RESULTS: Male offspring of long-lived fathers and mothers were more likely to be open to new experiences (p < .01) and be more extroverted (p = .03) compared with male offspring of short-lived fathers or mothers. Maternal or paternal attained age had no effect on the female offspring personality traits.

DISCUSSION: Personality is an important phenotype to consider when investigating genetic and environmental determinants of longevity. Further research is needed to investigate the potential of gender-specific mechanisms.

DOI10.1093/geronb/gbt003
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23419869?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

physical health/Longevity/personality/personality/Midlife Development Inventory/Life Orientatin Test

Endnote ID

68964

Alternate JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
Citation Key7800
PubMed ID23419869
PubMed Central IDPMC5975667
Grant ListU01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States