Social support differentially moderates the impact of neuroticism and extraversion on mental wellbeing among community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

Background

Personality affects psychological wellbeing, and social support networks may mediate this effect. This may be particularly pertinent in later life, when social structures change significantly, and can lead to a decline in psychological wellbeing.

Aim

To examine, in an older population, whether the relationships between neuroticism and extraversion and mental wellbeing are moderated by available social support networks.

Method

We gathered information from 536 community-dwelling older adults, regarding personality, social support networks, depressive symptomatology, anxiety and perceived stress, as well as controlling for age and gender.

Results

Neuroticism and extraversion interacted with social support networks to determine psychological wellbeing (depression, stress and anxiety). High scores on the social support networks measure appear to be protective against the deleterious effects of high scores on the neuroticism scale on psychological wellbeing. Meanwhile, individuals high in extraversion appear to require large social support networks in order to maintain psychological wellbeing.

Conclusion

Large familial and friendship social support networks are associated with good psychological wellbeing. To optimise psychological wellbeing in older adults, improving social support networks may be differentially effective for different personality types.

Keywords:

• personality
• older adults
• social support
• depression
• anxiety
• stress