[Stability of personality in later life].

The relation of aging and the stability of personality in late life is evaluated by a literature review. The findings of six longitudinal studies reveal that rank-order consistency continues into old age. The mean-level stability reveals a concave curve for 'neuroticism' with an increase after age 80, a decrease for 'extraversion', and an increase for 'agreeableness'. The methodological and conceptual issues of personality assessment with old adults can be resolved by using a self report scale which corresponds to the capacities and the lifestyle of older adults and by involving age related variables into analyses.