Because of our unexpected finding that neuroticism increased survival, it is important to attempt to replicate this finding in another study. It would also be valuable to administer the full 240-item NEO form to caregivers in order to use the measures of the six facets underlying neuroticism to test our hypotheses that it is the vulnerability facet of neuroticism that increases WIC and the anxiety facet of neuroticism that enhances survival. It is possible that one or more of the other facets (Angry Hostility, Depression, Self-Consciousness, Impulsiveness) may be related to survival instead of or in addition to vulnerability or anxiety. Ours is the first study to show a relationship between caregiver personality (i.e., neuroticism) and the survival of AD care-recipients. In the single previous study of caregiver personality and care-recipient survival, neuroticism (measured by Eysenck Personality Inventory) was not significantly related to survival (Brodaty et al., 1993). The difference between Brodaty and our study might be due to: The sample size used by Brody was 91 and thus provided less power than our sample (n = 180); Brodaty controlled for a caregiver training program but did not include measures of coping styles used by caregivers; other dimensions of personality were not controlled; neuroticism was tested with and without measures of change in dementia severity and nursing home admission whereas our analysis included changes in ADL and behavioral problem. Our analysis did not find neuroticism to be significant without WIC in the model. In sum, the main differences between Brodaty’s study and our study were sample size (91 vs. 180) and the measure of caregiver coping (training program intervention vs. measure of wishful coping). In our study, caregiver personality measurements were made on a one-time basis up to six years after the baseline measures. The varying lag times are not a problem if, as is often assumed, personality is relatively stable. However, there is evidence that small- to medium-sized changes in personality, including neuroticism, occur over the life course (Roberts, Walton, &
Because of our unexpected finding that neuroticism increased survival, it is important to attempt to replicate this finding in another study. It would also be valuable to administer the full 240-item NEO form to caregivers in order to use the measures of the six facets underlying neuroticism to test our hypotheses that it is the vulnerability facet of neuroticism that increases WIC and the anxiety facet of neuroticism that enhances survival. It is possible that one or more of the other facets (Angry Hostility, Depression, Self-Consciousness, Impulsiveness) may be related to survival instead of or in addition to vulnerability or anxiety. Ours is the first study to show a relationship between caregiver personality (i.e., neuroticism) and the survival of AD care-recipients. In the single previous study of caregiver personality and care-recipient survival, neuroticism (measured by Eysenck Personality Inventory) was not significantly related to survival (Brodaty et al., 1993). The difference between Brodaty and our study might be due to: The sample size used by Brody was 91 and thus provided less power than our sample (n = 180); Brodaty controlled for a caregiver training program but did not include measures of coping styles used by caregivers; other dimensions of personality were not controlled; neuroticism was tested with and without measures of change in dementia severity and nursing home admission whereas our analysis included changes in ADL and behavioral problem. Our analysis did not find neuroticism to be significant without WIC in the model. In sum, the main differences between Brodaty’s study and our study were sample size (91 vs. 180) and the measure of caregiver coping (training program intervention vs. measure of wishful coping). In our study, caregiver personality measurements were made on a one-time basis up to six years after the baseline measures. The varying lag times are not a problem if, as is often assumed, personality is relatively stable. However, there is evidence that small- to medium-sized changes in personality, including neuroticism, occur over the life course (Roberts, Walton, &
CG%20Personality%20and%20Survival%20in%20AD,%2012-23-9.docx