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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

Published in:

01-03-2011

Low Life Course Socioeconomic Status (SES) is Associated with Negative NEO PI-R Personality Patterns

Authors: Charles R. Jonassaint, Ilene C. Siegler, John C. Barefoot, Christopher L. Edwards, Redford B. Williams

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2011

Abstract

Background

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with poor health. One potential pathway accounting for this relationship may be an association between low SES and personality characteristics that affect health.

Methods

Associations among parent's education, current SES (education and income), and personality were examined among 233 African Americans and Caucasian, male and female community volunteers.

Results

Using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to model neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness simultaneously, participant's education, household income, and father's and mother's education each had significant main effects on personality. When examining the life course—the combination of both current and childhood SES—distinctive patterns emerged for each domain, depending upon whether mother's or father's education was used to index childhood SES. When using mother's education as a childhood SES index, a high life course SES (high participant's SES/high mother's education) was associated with high extraversion and openness. Using father's education as a childhood SES index, a low life course SES (low participant's SES/low father's education) was associated with disproportionately high neuroticism and low conscientiousness. These effects did not differ by race or sex.

Conclusion

The implications of these findings for the role of personality in the SES–health relationship are discussed.

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Title: Low Life Course Socioeconomic Status (SES) is Associated with Negative NEO PI-R Personality Patterns
Authors: Charles R. Jonassaint
Ilene C. Siegler
John C. Barefoot
Christopher L. Edwards
Redford B. Williams
Publication date: 01-03-2011
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-009-9069-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Low Life Course Socioeconomic Status (SES) is Associated with Negative NEO PI-R Personality Patterns

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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