OBJECTIVES
To examine whether five major personality traits are related to the motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome, a pre‐dementia syndrome characterized by cognitive complaints and slow gait speed.
DESIGN
Cross‐sectional.
SETTING
Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the National Health and Aging Trends Survey (NHATS).
PARTICIPANTS
Dementia‐free older adults aged 65 to 107 years (N > 8000).
MEASUREMENTS
In both samples, participants provided data on personality, cognitive complaints, and measures of gait speed, as well as on demographic factors, physical activity, depressive symptoms, and body mass index (BMI).
RESULTS
Across the two samples and a meta‐analysis, higher neuroticism was related to higher risk of MCR (combined odds ratio [OR] = 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21‐1.45; P < .001), whereas higher extraversion (combined OR = .71; 95% CI = .65‐.79; P < .001) and conscientiousness (combined OR = .70; 95% CI = .62‐.78; P < .001) were associated with a lower likelihood of MCR. Higher openness was also related to a lower risk of MCR in the HRS and the meta‐analysis (combined OR = .77; 95% CI = .70‐.85; P < .001), whereas agreeableness was protective only in the HRS (OR = .83; 95% CI = .74‐.92; P < .001). Additional analyses indicated that physical activity, depressive symptoms, and BMI partially accounted for these associations.
CONCLUSION
This study adds to existing research on the factors related to the risk of MCR by showing an association with personality traits. Personality assessment may help to identify individuals who may be targeted by interventions focused on reducing the risk of MCR and ultimately of dementia.