Within-trait heterogeneity in age group differences in personality domains and facets:implications for the development and coherence of personality traits

The study investigated differences in the Five-Factor Model (FFM) domains and facets across adulthood. The main questions were whether personality scales reflected coherent units of trait development and thereby coherent personality traits more generally. These questions were addressed by testing if the components of the trait scales (items for facet scales and facets for domain scales) showed consistent age group differences. For this, measurement invariance (MI) framework was used. In a sample of 2,711 Estonians who had completed the NEO Personality Inventory 3 (NEO PI-3), more than half of the facet scales and one domain scale did not meet the criterion for weak MI (factor loading equality) across 12 age groups spanning ages from 18 to 91 years. Furthermore, none of the facet and domain scales met the criterion for strong MI (intercept equality), suggesting that items of the same facets and facets of the same domains varied in age group differences. When items were residualized for their respective facets, 46% of them had significant (p < 0.0002) residual age-correlations. When facets were residualized for their domain scores, a majority had significant (p < 0.002) residual age-correlations. For each domain, a series of latent factors were specified using random quarters of their items: scores of such latent factors varied notably (within domains) in correlations with age. We argue that manifestations of aetiologically coherent traits should show similar age group differences. Given this, the FFM domains and facets as embodied in the NEO PI-3 do not reflect aetiologically coherent traits

Physical Agents in the Occupational Environment in Estonia

Physical agents cause several physical and mental health disorders and reduce human capability for work, in most severe cases they cause disability. Usually the influence of these physical factors takes place in the work environment and depends on the factor’s intensity, exposure time, and individual characteristics. Influence is cumulative and may manifest itself after a long period of time, in several years. It is recommended to follow internationally recognized limit values of factors and introduce medical control of people before they start working as well as periodical medical control. From the most widespread risk factors, this article deals with noise with the data obtained from objective studies on Estonia

Physical Agents in the Occupational Environment in Estonia

Physical agents cause several physical and mental health disorders and reduce human capability for work, in most severe cases they cause disability. Usually the influence of these physical factors takes place in the work environment and depends on the factor’s intensity, exposure time, and individual characteristics. Influence is cumulative and may manifest itself after a long period of time, in several years. It is recommended to follow internationally recognized limit values of factors and introduce medical control of people before they start working as well as periodical medical control. From the most widespread risk factors, this article deals with noise with the data obtained from objective studies on Estonia

Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for personality

Personality can be thought of as a set of characteristics that influence people's thoughts, feelings and behavior across a variety of settings. Variation in personality is predictive of many outcomes in life, including mental health. Here we report on a meta-analysis of genome-wide association (GWA) data for personality in 10 discovery samples (17 375 adults) and five in silico replication samples (3294 adults). All participants were of European ancestry. Personality scores for Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were based on the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Genotype data of similar to 2.4M single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; directly typed and imputed using HapMap data) were available. In the discovery samples, classical association analyses were performed under an additive model followed by meta-analysis using the weighted inverse variance method. Results showed genome-wide significance for Openness to Experience near the RASA1 gene on 5q14.3 (rs1477268 and rs2032794, P = 2.8 x 10(-8) and 3.1 x 10(-8)) and for Conscientiousness in the brain-expressed KATNAL2 gene on 18q21.1 (rs2576037, P = 4.9 x 10(-8)). We further conducted a gene-based test that confirmed the association of KATNAL2 to Conscientiousness. In silico replication did not, however, show significant associations of the top SNPs with Openness and Conscientiousness, although the direction of effect of the KATNAL2 SNP on Conscientiousness was consistent in all replication samples. Larger scale GWA studies and alternative approaches are required for confirmation of KATNAL2 as a novel gene affecting Conscientiousness. Molecular Psychiatry (2012) 17, 337-349; doi: 10.1038/mp.2010.128; published online 21 December 201