Beyond Big Five trait domains: Stability and change in personality facets across midlife and old age

• DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12791
• Publication Date: 2022-11-03T07:42:58Z
• Authors: Naemi D. Brandt; Johanna Drewelies; Sherry L. Willis; K. Warner Schaie; Nilam Ram; Denis Gerstorf; Jenny Wagner
• Keywords: Facet (psychology); Trait; Personality development; Adult Development; Measurement Invariance

Accumulated evidence indicates both stable and malleable parts of inter-individual differences in the broad Big Five domains. Less is known, however, about stability change at more diversified facet level. With current study, we fill this gap by investigating personality across midlife old age.We apply local structural equation measurement models second-order growth curve to four waves data obtained with full NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) collected over 11 years from 1667 adults (Mage = 62.69 years, SDage 15.62, 55% female) who participated Seattle Longitudinal Study.Measurement invariance analyses indicated that psychometric properties NEO-PI-R facets are comparable time age. Results revealed substantial rank-order stabilities all facets, yet exact pattern varied strongly between same trait traits. Mean-level age largely mirrored mean-level observed for broader traits.We discuss conceptual implications argue face overall age, changes rank-ordering people reveals a much complex diverse development than level suggest.