Personality Traits and Personality Disorders in Late Middle and Old Age: Do They Remain Stable? A Literature Review

Abstract

We reviewed the evidence regarding which personality traits and personality disorders remain stable into later middle and old age (age >60 years of age) and how expressions of (maladaptive) personality traits affect personality assessment among older adults. Our study was a literature review of longitudinal and cross-sectional studies of the Five Factor Model (FFM) or DSM personality disorders in old age, using PsychInfo, Psychlit, and PubMed (period 1980–2012). Combinations of the following keywords were used: personality, development, stability, five factor personality model, big 5, (borderline) personality disorder(s), aging, older adults. Of the 22 relevant articles that were found, 17 longitudinal or cross-sectional studies of the FFM mainly supported the hypothesis that personality characteristics are susceptible to change over a person’s entire lifetime. Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness appear to diminish as a person ages, while, conversely, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness appear to increase with age. Two longitudinal studies and three cross-sectional studies of DSM-IV personality disorders suggested there are age-related changes in the ways in which maladaptive personality traits manifest themselves. The temporal instability of personality traits in old age, both adaptive and maladaptive, affects the validity of personality assessment of older adults, especially the face validity. We recommend personality assessment measures that include only age-neutral items. Informant contributions to the personality assessment could also be helpful in improving the reliability in epidemiological research.