Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.
Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK.
BMC Geriatr. 2023 Jun 6;23(1):354. doi: 10.1186/s12877-023-04075-x.
Cross-sectional evidence indicates that certain personality traits may influence how well people with dementia and their caregivers are able to live alongside the condition. However, no studies to date have explored these associations longitudinally. The present study aimed to explore whether each of the Five-Factor personality traits were associated with change over two years in perceptions of 'living well' for people with dementia and their caregivers. 'Living well' was conceptualized as a composite of quality of life, satisfaction with life, and subjective well-being.
Data were analyzed from 1487 people with dementia and 1234 caregivers who took part in the IDEAL cohort. Participants were categorized into low, medium, and high groups for each trait using stanine scores. Latent growth curve models investigated associations between these groups and 'living well' scores for each trait at baseline and at 12 and 24 months. Covariates included cognition in people with dementia and stress in caregivers. A Reliable Change Index was calculated against which to evaluate changes in 'living well' scores over time.
At baseline, neuroticism was negatively associated with 'living well' scores for people with dementia, while conscientiousness, extraversion, openness, and agreeableness were positively associated. For caregivers, neuroticism was negatively associated with 'living well' scores at baseline while conscientiousness and extraversion were positively associated. 'Living well' scores were mostly stable over time with no influence of personality traits on observed changes.
Findings suggest that personality traits, particularly neuroticism, have a meaningful impact on how people with dementia and caregivers rate their capability to 'live well' at baseline. Over time 'living well' scores for each personality trait group were largely stable. Studies utilizing longer follow-up periods and more appropriate measures of personality are needed to corroborate and extend the findings of the present study.
横断面证据表明，某些人格特质可能会影响痴呆症患者及其照顾者的生活质量。然而，迄今为止尚无研究从纵向角度探讨这些关联。本研究旨在探讨五大人格特质中的每一种特质是否与痴呆症患者及其照顾者在两年内对“生活得好”的认知变化相关。“生活得好”被定义为生活质量、生活满意度和主观幸福感的综合指标。
本研究分析了参加 IDEAL 队列的 1487 名痴呆症患者和 1234 名照顾者的数据。参与者根据斯坦纳分数被分为低、中、高三个特质组。潜在增长曲线模型调查了这些组与基线时和 12 个月及 24 个月时每个特质的“生活得好”评分之间的关联。协变量包括痴呆症患者的认知功能和照顾者的压力。计算可靠变化指数以评估随时间推移“生活得好”评分的变化。
基线时，神经质与痴呆症患者的“生活得好”评分呈负相关，而尽责性、外向性、开放性和宜人性与“生活得好”评分呈正相关。对于照顾者，神经质与基线时的“生活得好”评分呈负相关，而尽责性和外向性与“生活得好”评分呈正相关。“生活得好”评分在大多数情况下随时间稳定，人格特质对观察到的变化没有影响。
研究结果表明，人格特质，尤其是神经质，对痴呆症患者及其照顾者对自身“生活得好”的能力评分具有重要影响。随着时间的推移，每个人格特质组的“生活得好”评分基本保持稳定。需要进行更长随访期和更适当的人格测量的研究来证实和扩展本研究的结果。
