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Comparative Study
. 2005 Sep;20(3):493-506.
doi: 10.1037/0882-7974.20.3.493.

Hierarchical linear modeling analyses of the NEO-PI-R scales in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Antonio Terracciano  1 , Robert R McCrae, Larry J Brant, Paul T Costa Jr
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Hierarchical linear modeling analyses of the NEO-PI-R scales in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Antonio Terracciano et al. Psychol Aging. 2005 Sep.

Abstract

The authors examined age trends in the 5 factors and 30 facets assessed by the Revised NEO Personality Inventory in Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging data (N=1,944; 5,027 assessments) collected between 1989 and 2004. Consistent with cross-sectional results, hierarchical linear modeling analyses showed gradual personality changes in adulthood: a decline in Neuroticism up to age 80, stability and then decline in Extraversion, decline in Openness, increase in Agreeableness, and increase in Conscientiousness up to age 70. Some facets showed different curves from the factor they define. Birth cohort effects were modest, and there were no consistent Gender x Age interactions. Significant nonnormative changes were found for all 5 factors; they were not explained by attrition but might be due to genetic factors, disease, or life experience.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Number of personality assessment points obtained by age.
Figure 2
Figure 2
a–b. Estimated T-scores for Neuroticism and its facets from 30 to 90 years.
Figure 3
Figure 3
a–b. Estimated T-scores for Extraversion and its facets from 30 to 90 years.
Figure 4
Figure 4
a–b. Estimated T-scores for Openness and its facets from 30 to 90 years.
Figure 5
Figure 5
a–b. Estimated T-scores for Agreeableness and its facets from 30 to 90 years.
Figure 6
Figure 6
a–b. Estimated T-scores for Conscientiousness and its facets from 30 to 90 years.
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