Certain personality traits are associated with life satisfaction, and that association remains stable regardless of age, according to a study published by the American Psychological Association. Researchers analysed data from the Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel survey, collecting information from 9,110 Dutch participants ranging from 16 to 95 years old. The Big Five personality traits — openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability/neuroticism — were assessed, along with the participants’ satisfaction with their social connections, life overall, and work life for those who were employed.
The research revealed that most of the relationships between personality traits and satisfaction remained consistent across the adult lifespan. Emotional stability was found to be the most strongly associated trait with people’s satisfaction with their life, social connections, and career. Despite changes in life challenges and social roles, personality traits remained relevant for overall satisfaction across various age groups. The study also found that different personality traits were linked to people’s satisfaction with their social lives and careers, with conscientiousness being most associated with work satisfaction and extraversion and agreeableness with social satisfaction.
Age played a role in the relationship between career satisfaction and emotional stability, as the correlation grew stronger as participants aged. Individuals who increased in certain traits such as openness were also found to experience an increase in life satisfaction. The researchers suggested that indirect processes could explain this relationship and highlighted the importance of emotional stability in influencing overall satisfaction. Future studies should explore how variables such as income, employment status, marital status, and health impact the connection between personality traits and life satisfaction.
The findings demonstrate that personalities and happiness are not fixed, and individuals may be able to influence their own changes by working on traits like organization, outgoingness, and friendliness. This could potentially lead to increased life, social, and work satisfaction. The study indicates that personality traits play a crucial role in determining overall satisfaction levels, regardless of age, and highlights the enduring relevance of emotional stability in shaping individuals’ views and experiences. Understanding the link between personality traits and satisfaction can provide insights into personal growth and wellbeing across the adult lifespan.
