The Impact of Personality and Social Status Factors Upon Levels of Activity and Psychological Well-being

Abstract

The fact that the relationship between levels of activity and psychological well-being is not a simple one that suggests an optimal theory of aging has been previously recognized. Explanation of individual differences in levels of activity and psychological well-being, however, remains a salient theoretical issue. In the present study, multiple regression is used to examine the impact of both personality and social status variables upon levels of activity and psychological well-being in a sample of 380 white males and females, aged 50-76. The results indicate that both personality and social status factors are significant predictors, although levels of activity and psychological well-being are best predicted by different variables. The most striking finding of the study is the substantial power of personality factors to significantly predict psychological well-being.