The influence of the levels of personality traits on the quality of life of late reproductive age women

Background. The topic that is increasingly discussed is the contribution of personality traits to many aspects of life, including maintenance and restoration of health. Since health status is an essential element of quality of life, the latter may be significantly influenced by personality.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine how personality traits influence the quality of life of late reproductive age women.

Material and methods. The study included 345 late reproductive age healthy women selected according to a standardized classification STRA W. They were women at the age of 42.3 ± 4.5 years from the West Pomeranian Voivodship. Personality traits were measured using Costa and McCrae’s NEO–Five Factor Inventory adapted into Polish by Zawadzki, Strelau, Szczepaniak and Śliwińska. Quality of life was assessed by the 36–Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Results. Personality traits which had the highest levels were openness to experience and agreeableness. Bodily fitness as well as physical and emotional functioning were assessed highest by the study participants. In the study group, neuroticism, extroversion,

conscientiousness, agreeableness and openness to experience correlated with the majority of quality of life variables.

Conclusions. 1. Health-related quality of life is shaped by personality factors, which are relatively stable throughout life. 2. High neuroticism considerably contributes to health-related quality of life. 3. The awareness of the fact that personality traits influence

the quality of women’s lives will enable a family doctor to optimize diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.