Personality Traits and Subjective Health in Retirement Age – The Role of Personal Resources

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between fi ve-factor personality traits and subjective health in retirement age, including the mediating role of personal resources. The sample comprised of 240 older adults approaching or of retirement age; aged 55-70 (M = 60.1 years). Subjective health was negatively associated with neuroticism and positively associated with extraversion and openness to experiences. Multiple mediation analyses indicated that personal resources (especially the sense of meaningfulness) mediated most of the analyzed associations between personality and subjective health. For conscientiousness suppressive effects were found.