Stability and Change in Personality in Adult Women Over a 37-Year Period

Abstract: AbstractThe present study aims to examine mean-level, rank-order, and individual-level change in personality in two population-based samples of women. Participants were followed over 37 years from mid-life to old age, including two cohorts aged 38 to 75 years and 46 to 83 years. Participants completed the Cesarec-Marke Personality Schedule – a self-report measure of Murray’s psychogenic needs – in 1968 and 2005. Mean levels of need for affiliation, order, nurturance, and succorance increased whereas need for dominance, aggression, and defense of status decreased, but effect sizes were generally small and test-retest correlations were generally strong, suggesting personality stability. By contrast, significant changes were observed at the individual level, with participants both increasing and decreasing in most psychogenic needs. Eighty five percent (85%) of the participants changed significantly in at least one psychogenic need.