OBJECTIVE

The goal of our study was to examine how Big Five personality factors predict variability in self-rated health in a sample of older African Americans from the Baltimore Study of Black Aging.

METHODS

Personality was measured by the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised, and self-rated health was assessed by the Health Problems Checklist.

PARTICIPANTS

The study sample had 202 women and 87 men. Ages ranged from 49 to 90 years (M = 67.2 years, SD = 8.55), and average years of formal education was 10.8 (SD = 3.3).

RESULTS

Multiple linear regressions showed that neuroticism and extraversion were significant regression predictors of self-rated health, after controlling for demographic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest individual personality traits may influence health ratings, behaviors, and decision-making among older African Americans.