Non Satis Sola Persona: The Relationships Between Personality, Cognition, and Geriatric Depression

• In Event: Adults: Dementia, Personality, Cognition, Depression, and Memories

Abstract

This study examines relationships between “Big Five” Personality Traits (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism), education, perception of health, financial status, ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), cognition, and depression in older adults, using existing large data sets: the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), including the HRS Psychosocial Leave-Behind Participant Lifestyle Questionnaire, and the HRS Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS). Previous studies developed models of the relationships among education, health issues, personality, general ability to perform ADLs, psychological well-being and depression. The current study investigates the relationship between personality and other factors on cognition and depression. These findings can be useful in developing educational interventions that help older adults maintain their quality of life.

Authors

• James A. Katt, University of Central Florida

• Linda M. Speranza, Valencia College

• Wendy Shore, Johns Hopkins University

• E. Lea Witta, University of Central Florida