The contribution of personality to longevity: Findings from the Australian Centenarian Study

•No previous research has reported on personality traits and longevity in Australian centenarians.•Australian centenarians are high in Neuroticism, low in Extraversion and Openness.•Extraversion was previously high in Australian centenarians, indicating a potential for this trait to change with advancing age.•Personality traits were influenced by cognitive function and external factors such as current living arrangement.

ObjectivesTo examine whether centenarians have a unique set of personality traits, which may in part explain their longevity.Methods79 Australian centenarians completed the NEO Five Factory Inventory (NEO-FFI), Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) to assess different dimensions of their personalities. Centenarians were asked to answer items of the NEO-FFI, CD-RISC and LOT-R based on current views, and were then asked to recall in the presence of an informant (e.g. carers, offspring) on past personality (i.e. at mid-adult-life). Both sets of answers were recorded and analysed.ResultsCentenarians were currently low in Openness and Extraversion and high in Neuroticism, but were low in Openness and high in Neuroticism, Conscientiousness and Extraversion when reflecting on past traits. Currently, centenarians in high care facilities reported higher levels of Neuroticism, as did centenarians who did not socialize. Cognitively intact centenarians reported higher levels of Agreeableness; and males reported lower Neuroticism compared to females when reflecting on past experiences.DiscussionCentenarians were characterized by several personality traits, which facilitated positive health behaviors and thus contributed to their longevity. It is possible that personality may not be static across the lifespan, but instead, reflect advancing age, psychosocial factors and changes in life circumstances.