Age and gender might influence big five factors of personality : a preliminary report in Indian population.

ABSTRACT

Age and gender are two important physiological variables which might influence the personality of an individual. The influence of age and gender on big five personality domains in Indian population was assessed in this cross-sectional study that included 155 subjects (female=76, male=79) aged from 16-75 years. Big five personality factors were evaluated using 60-item NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) at a single point in time. Among the big five factors of personality, Conscientiousness was positively correlated (r=0.195; P<0.05) with age in total study population, and retained the significance (P<0.05)in men only when analyzed by gender subgroups. Further, age and gender sub-group analysis also showed that Neuroticism was inversely correlated with age in women aged 26-35 years (P<0.05). Neuroticism and Extraversion showed a positive correlation with age in men aged 36-45 years (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). Neuroticism was inversely correlated with age in men aged 46-55 years (P<0.05). This preliminary report suggested that personality traits might change with age, and is gender-dependent.