The Big Five personality traits and allostatic load in middle to older adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Tomiko Yoneda*, Tristen Lozinski, Nicholas Turiano, Tom Booth, Eileen K. Graham, Daniel Mroczek, Graciela Muniz Terrera

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Further understanding of the associations between personality traits and allostatic load (AL) may be important for predicting, addressing, and optimizing health outcomes. This review synthesized the existing literature reporting the association between the Big Five personality traits and AL in adults to identify the generalizability and robustness of relationships, potential mechanisms underlying the associations, and study characteristics that may be contributing to inconsistencies in the field. Published and unpublished empirical reports were included if at least one of the Big Five traits was examined and an AL index was constructed using at least two biomarkers in a sample of adults. The methodological plan and standardized coding guide were pre-registered and reported (https://osf.io/rxw5a). Based on 11 studies that met eligibility, meta-analysis of correlation coefficients indicated a small but significant positive association between neuroticism and AL, and small but significant inverse associations between both conscientiousness and openness with AL. This review identifies strengths and limitations within the field, as well as several avenues for future research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number105145
JournalNeuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Volume148
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2023

Keywords

  • Allostatic load
  • Big Five
  • Meta-analysis
  • Personality traits
  • Systematic review

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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