Extroverts find it harder to cope with retirement, study finds

How your PERSONALITY affects your chances of a happy retirement: Extroverts find it hardest to cope while conscientious people are more likely to enjoy packing in work early

  • Scientists analysed the data from a survey of more than 2,000 adults aged 50-75
  • The survey was designed to assess their levels of the ‘Big Five’ personality traits – extroversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism
  • People who were more extroverted found it harder to cope with retirement 
  • Conscientious people were most satisfied with their lives post-retirement 

Many people count down to the day they can finally pack in their job and settle down to retire.

But if you’re an extrovert, a new study may cause you to be more wary about giving up work.

Scientists from Kasetsart University in Bangkok have found key links between different personality traits and reaction to retirement.

Their findings suggest that extroverts tend to find it harder to cope after exiting the workforce, while conscientious people are more likely to enjoy packing it in early.

Extroverts tend to find it harder to cope after exiting the workforce, while conscientious people are more likely to enjoy packing in work early (stock image)

People over 60 are now the ‘greenhouse bad guys’ 

While millennials often get a bad rep, a new study suggests that when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, it’s baby boomers who are the ‘bad guys’.

Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have revealed that people over 60 are now responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions and are likely at the top of the emissions ladder.

‘Older people used to be thrifty. The generation that experienced World War II was careful about how they used resources. The “new elderly” are different,’ said Professor Edgar Hertwich, an author of the study.

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Previous studies have focused on how different exit paths – such as mandatory or voluntary retirement – are linked to subsequent life satisfaction.

However, until now, little research has been done on how these associations may vary depending on people’s personality traits.

In their new study, the team analysed data from a survey of more than 2,000 British adults aged 50-75.

The survey questions were designed to assess their levels of the ‘Big Five’ personality traits – extroversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.

They were also asked about their exit path from their job, their life satisfaction after leaving, and whether or not they planned to work again.

An analysis of the results revealed that people who scored highly for conscientiousness were more likely to say they were satisfied with their life after early retirement.

Conversely, people who scored highly for extroversion were more likely to say they were dissatisfied with their life, income and leisure after retiring.

The researchers suggest that conscientiousness may act as a ‘psychological buffer’, with people who scored highly for this trait being more proactive at finding new ways to fulfil their lives.

Extroverts, on the other hand, might miss social relationships they had at work, according to the researchers.

The researchers hope the findings could be used to develop interventions and policies to boost the wellbeing of ageing adults.

In their study, published in PLOS ONE, the researchers, led by Dusanee Kesavayuth, wrote: ‘Our study uncovered associations between the routes people took to exit their jobs and their subsequent satisfaction with life, income, and leisure. 

‘These associations varied according to people’s personality traits. 

‘Conscientious individuals were more proactive in finding new fulfilling life patterns.’ 

The researchers suggest that conscientiousness may act as a 'psychological buffer', with people who scored highly for this trait being more proactive at finding new ways to fulfil their lives (stock image)

The researchers suggest that conscientiousness may act as a ‘psychological buffer’, with people who scored highly for this trait being more proactive at finding new ways to fulfil their lives (stock image)

The study comes shortly after researchers claimed that early retirement is bad for your health.   

Researchers at Germany’s Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science found that working up to the age of 67, when most Americans retire, slows their cognitive decline and can help against diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other diseases that can negatively impact a person’s cognitive functions.

Remarkably, the findings show that a person will benefit working longer, regardless of their gender, education level or level of job complexity.

‘Our study suggests that there may be a fortuitous unintended consequence of postponed retirement,’ the study’s co-author, Angelo Lorenti, said.  

BIG FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS

The ‘Big Five’ personality traits are openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness and neuroticism.

The Big Five personality framework theory uses these descriptors to outline the broad dimensions of people’s personality and psyche.

Beneath each broad category is a number of correlated and specific factors.

Here are the five main points: 

Openness – this is about having an appreciation for emotion, adventure and unusual ideas.

People who are generally open have a higher degree of intellectual curiosity and creativity.

They are also more unpredictable and likely to be involved in risky behaviour such as drug taking.

Conscientiousness – people who are conscientiousness are more likely to be organised and dependable.

These people are self-disciplined and act dutifully, preferring planned as opposed to spontaneous behaviour.

They can sometimes be stubborn and obsessive.

Extroversion – these people tend to seek stimulation in the company of others and are energetic, positive and assertive.

They can sometimes be attention-seeking and domineering.

Individuals with lower extroversion are reserved, and can be seen as aloof or self-absorbed.

Agreeableness – these individuals have a tendency to be compassionate and cooperative as opposed to antagonistic towards other people.

Sometimes people who are highly agreeable are seen as naive or submissive.

People who have lower levels of agreeableness are competitive or challenging.

Neuroticisim – People with high levels of neuroticism are prone to psychological stress and get angry, anxious and depressed easily.

More stable people are calmer but can sometimes be seen as uninspiring and unconcerned.

Individuals with higher neuroticism tend to have worse psychological well-being.



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