Costa et al. (1981): study US 1958

Publication

Author(s):

Costa, P.T.; McCrae, R.R.; Morris, A.H.

Title:

Personal Adjustment to Aging: Longitudinal Prediction from Neuroticism and Extraversion.

Source:

Journal of Gerontology, 1981, Vol. 36, 78 - 85

Investigation

Public

17-97 aged males, visitors of the Gerontology Research Centre, followed ± 10 years Baltimore, USA. 1958-70

Sample

Respondents

N = 117

Non Response

Attrition 79% at T3, mostly among psychologically least adjusted

Assessment

Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)
Filled in during visit at Research Centre.

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:

Self report on single question:

How do you feel about what you have accomplished in life...?
3  well satisfied
2  reasonable satisfied
1  dissatisfied:

Classification:

C-A-h-sq-v-3-a

Author's label:

Satisfaction with accomplishments

Error estimates:

Retest reliability : - T1-T2 (average 5.3 years) r= +.49 (001) - T1-T3 (average 12.6 years) r= +.46 (001)

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Extraversion Earlier inner-control
Extraverted Thinking introversion Earlier inner-control
Extraverted Past contentment Past happiness ( 1 to 10 years ago)
Long term happiness (< 10 years ago) Neuroticism Earlier mental health
Scores on symptom inventories
Neurotic (f48)
Earlier psycho-somatic complaints