BACKGROUND Although many people experience loneliness in old age, there is little knowledge of predisposing personality factors. The aim of the present study was to explore to what extent personality traits are associated with the risk of becoming lonely, in women and men aged 60-79 years at baseline. METHODS The panel data are from The Norwegian study on Life course, Ageing and Generations (NorLAG). Our sample consisted of 516 men and 419 women aged 60-79 years, who were surveyed in both 2002-2003 (baseline) and 2007-2008 (follow-up), and who reported not being lonely at baseline. Personality traits were measured by the Big Five scale. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between a personality trait and the risk of becoming lonely, with adjustment for age, mental health and living with a partner. RESULTS At follow-up 59 women and 54 men reported loneliness (14.1% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.092). Among women, high agreeableness at baseline was significantly associated with a higher risk of becoming lonely. Among men, low agreeableness, low conscientiousness and high neuroticism at baseline were significantly associated with a higher risk of becoming lonely. CONCLUSIONS Personality traits related differently to loneliness depending on gender. These findings may be useful when developing strategies for preventing loneliness in old age.

中文翻译：

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人格特质和高龄孤独的风险：一项为期5年的跟踪研究。

背景技术尽管许多人在年老时感到孤独，但是对诱发人格因素的知识很少。本研究的目的是探讨基线时60-79岁的男性和女性的性格特征与孤独风险的相关程度。方法面板数据来自挪威关于生命历程，衰老和世代的研究（NorLAG）。我们的样本包括516位男性和419位60-79岁的女性，他们分别在2002-2003年（基线）和2007-2008年（随访）接受调查，并报告他们在基线时并不孤单。人格特质通过五大量表进行测量。多变量logistic回归分析用于调查人格特征与孤独风险之间的关系，并调整年龄，心理健康和与伴侣生活。结果在随访中，有59名女性和54名男性报告了孤独感（14.1％对10.5％，p = 0.092）。在女性中，基线时的高度认同感与孤独感的高风险显着相关。在男性中，基线时的低顺从性，低落的尽责性和高度神经质与孤独的风险显着相关。结论人格特征与孤独感的相关性取决于性别。这些结果在制定预防老年孤独的策略时可能有用。基线时的尽职尽责和高度神经质与孤独的风险更高。结论人格特征与孤独感的相关性取决于性别。这些结果在制定预防老年孤独的策略时可能有用。基线时的尽职尽责和高度神经质与孤独的风险更高。结论人格特征与孤独感的相关性取决于性别。这些结果在制定预防老年孤独的策略时可能有用。