Association of personality and social support with subjective well‐being among Japanese older adults

Abstract

AIM: Although the association between personality and health has been well documented, the interaction between personality and health risk factors is understudied. This study examined (i) the relationship between the Big Five model of personality and subjective well-being and (ii) the buffering effect of social support on the relationship between personality and subjective well-being among Japanese older adults. METHODS: The participants were 1265 adults aged 65-84 (499 men, 766 women). The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale was used as an index of subjective well-being (the study outcome). As explanatory variables, the Japanese version of the NEO-Five Factor Inventory measured the five domains of personality traits, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support measured social support. Data on age, sex, years of education, living arrangements (living alone or with family), psychiatric problems, chronic illness, and instrumental activities of daily living dependence, which were used as covariates, were obtained to test the independent association of personality and social support with subjective well-being. RESULTS: The multivariable regression analysis showed that neuroticism (β = -0.543), extraversion (β = 0.167), agreeableness (β = -0.099), social support (β = 0.143), and the interaction between social support and neuroticism (β = 0.058) were significantly associated with subjective well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that social support moderates the association between neuroticism and subjective well-being among older adults. Accordingly, for older adults who are higher in neuroticism, interventions that provide increased social support may help reduce the risk of poorer well-being. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 267-272.

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