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Does childhood personality predict longevity?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Friedman, HS; Tucker, JS; Tomlinson-Keasey, C; Schwartz, JE; Wingard, DL; Criqui, MH
Published in: J Pers Soc Psychol
July 1993
Published version (DOI) Link to item

Key models relating personality and health predict that personality in childhood is indicative of later health and longevity. Longevity predictions are tested using data derived from the 7-decade longitudinal study initiated by L. M. Terman 1921 (L. M. Terman & M. H. Oden, 1947). Variables representing major dimensions of personality are used in statistical survival analyses of longevity in 1,178 males and females. Conscientiousness in childhood was clearly related to survival in middle to old age. This finding (a) establishes that childhood personality is related to survival decades into the future, (b) confirms the validity of the conscientiousness dimension in conceptualizing personality, and (c) points to likely and unlikely pathways linking personality to health. Contrary to expectation, cheerfulness (optimism and sense of humor) was inversely related to longevity, suggesting a possible need for reconceptualization of its health relevance.

Duke Scholars

Henry Seth Friedman
Author Henry Seth Friedman Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology
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Published In

J Pers Soc Psychol

DOI

10.1037//0022-3514.65.1.176

ISSN

0022-3514

Publication Date

July 1993

Volume

65

Issue

1

Start / End Page

176 / 185

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress, Psychological
  • Social Psychology
  • Sex Factors
  • Psychology, Child
  • Personality
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Longevity
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
 

Citation

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Friedman, H. S., Tucker, J. S., Tomlinson-Keasey, C., Schwartz, J. E., Wingard, D. L., & Criqui, M. H. (1993). Does childhood personality predict longevity? J Pers Soc Psychol, 65(1), 176–185. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.65.1.176
Friedman, H. S., J. S. Tucker, C. Tomlinson-Keasey, J. E. Schwartz, D. L. Wingard, and M. H. Criqui. “Does childhood personality predict longevity?” J Pers Soc Psychol 65, no. 1 (July 1993): 176–85. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.65.1.176.
Friedman HS, Tucker JS, Tomlinson-Keasey C, Schwartz JE, Wingard DL, Criqui MH. Does childhood personality predict longevity? J Pers Soc Psychol. 1993 Jul;65(1):176–85.
Friedman, H. S., et al. “Does childhood personality predict longevity?” J Pers Soc Psychol, vol. 65, no. 1, July 1993, pp. 176–85. Pubmed, doi:10.1037//0022-3514.65.1.176.
Friedman HS, Tucker JS, Tomlinson-Keasey C, Schwartz JE, Wingard DL, Criqui MH. Does childhood personality predict longevity? J Pers Soc Psychol. 1993 Jul;65(1):176–185.

Published In

J Pers Soc Psychol

DOI

10.1037//0022-3514.65.1.176

ISSN

0022-3514

Publication Date

July 1993

Volume

65

Issue

1

Start / End Page

176 / 185

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress, Psychological
  • Social Psychology
  • Sex Factors
  • Psychology, Child
  • Personality
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Longevity
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior