Dataset Information

Personality traits and the risk of sensory impairment: Evidence from the National Health and Aging Trends Study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Sensory impairment has pervasive effects on older individuals' quality of life and health. Although recent research found an association between personality traits and the risk of hearing and vision impairment, data on older adults is limited, and no study has examined dual-sensory impairment. Therefore, the present study examined the prospective relationship between personality traits and risk of hearing, vision, and dual sensory impairment among older adults.

Method

Participants were older adults aged 67 to 94 years (N = 829) from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). Personality traits, demographic, clinical (body mass index, diabetes, and high blood pressure), and behavioral (smoking and physical activity) factors were assessed in 2013/2014. Objective measures of hearing and vision were obtained in 2021.

Results

Controlling for demographic factors, higher conscientiousness was associated with a lower risk of hearing (OR: 0.81; 95%CI: 0.67-0.97, p = .022), vision (OR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.71-0.97, p = .022) and dual sensory impairment (OR: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.56-0.86, p < .001). Higher openness (OR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.68-0.97, p = .023) and neuroticism (OR: 0.74, 95%CI: 0.62-0.88, p < .001) were associated with a lower risk of hearing impairment. Clinical and behavioral covariates partially accounted for these associations.

Conclusion

Consistent with other age-related health and cognitive outcomes, conscientiousness may be protective against sensory impairment. Surprisingly, neuroticism had a protective effect for hearing, but not vision. The findings provide novel evidence for an association between personality and sensory impairment among older adults.

SUBMITTER: Stephan Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10591274 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Personality traits and the risk of sensory impairment: Evidence from the National Health and Aging Trends Study.

Stephan Yannick Y Sutin Angelina R AR Terracciano Antonio A

Journal of psychosomatic research 20230810

<h4>Objective</h4>Sensory impairment has pervasive effects on older individuals' quality of life and health. Although recent research found an association between personality traits and the risk of hearing and vision impairment, data on older adults is limited, and no study has examined dual-sensory impairment. Therefore, the present study examined the prospective relationship between personality traits and risk of hearing, vision, and dual sensory impairment among older adults.<h4>Method</h4>Pa ...[more]

PMID: 37657125

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Project description:BackgroundExisting estimates for the prevalence of dual sensory loss (vision and hearing) among older adults are either based on self-reported measures or aggregated for older age groups. Current and detailed estimates based on objective measures are needed for public health, clinical, and policy decision-making.MethodsWe estimated the prevalence of dual sensory loss (DSL) using National Health Aging Trends Study (NHATS) Round 11 data (2021). We restricted to community-dwelling adults aged ≥71 years with complete sensory testing data (N = 2579). Hearing loss was defined by a 4-frequency (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz) pure tone average for the better-hearing ear (>25 decibel hearing level). Vision loss was defined by the presence of distance, near (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution >0.30), or contrast sensitivity loss (log contrast sensitivity <1.55). Participants were categorized into three groups: no sensory loss, single sensory loss (vision or hearing loss), and DSL (hearing and vision). Sensory loss prevalence was estimated by age group and sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsIn weighted analyses, among older Medicare beneficiaries (53% female, 7% Black, 6% Hispanic), 28% had no sensory loss and 22% had DSL. Prevalence of DSL increased with age. Most adults aged ≥90 years experienced DSL (59%), as opposed to single (39%) or no sensory loss (2%). DSL prevalence was greater among older adults with low education attainment (34%) and household income (43%). A higher proportion of older adults with a college education (17%), or from wealthier households (16%), had no sensory loss.ConclusionsOne in 5 community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥71 years have DSL, increasing to 3 in 5 for those aged ≥90 years. Prevalence is higher among older adults with low education attainment and from low-income households, characteristics associated with low treatment. Policies increasing access and affordability of vision and hearing care could benefit millions of older Americans experiencing sensory loss.

Project description:ImportanceExisting estimates of the prevalence of vision impairment (VI) in the United States are based on self-reported survey data or measures of visual function that are at least 14 years old. Older adults are at high risk for VI and blindness. There is a need for up-to-date, objectively measured, national epidemiological estimates.ObjectiveTo present updated national epidemiological estimates of VI and blindness in older US adults based on objective visual function testing.Design, setting, and participantsThis survey study presents a secondary data analysis of the 2021 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a population-based, nationally representative panel study of Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older. NHATS includes community-dwelling older adults or their proxies who complete in-person interviews; annual follow-up interviews are conducted regardless of residential status. Round 11 NHATS data were collected from June to November 2021, and data were analyzed in August 2022.InterventionsIn 2021, NHATS incorporated tablet-based tests of distance and near visual acuity and contrast sensitivity with habitual correction.Main outcomes and measuresNational prevalence of impairment in presenting distance visual acuity (>0.30 logMAR, Snellen equivalent worse than 20/40), presenting near visual acuity (>0.30 logMAR, Snellen equivalent worse than 20/40), and contrast sensitivity (>1 SD below the sample mean). Prevalence estimates stratified by age and socioeconomic and demographic data were calculated.ResultsIn the 2021 round 11 NHATS sample, there were 3817 respondents. After excluding respondents who did not complete the sample person interview (n = 429) and those with missing vision data (n = 362), there were 3026 participants. Of these, 29.5% (95% CI, 27.3%-31.8%) were 71 to 74 years old, and 55.2% (95% CI, 52.8%-57.6%) were female respondents. The prevalence of VI in US adults 71 years and older was 27.8% (95% CI, 25.5%-30.1%). Distance and near visual acuity and contrast sensitivity impairments were prevalent in 10.3% (95% CI, 8.9%-11.7%), 22.3% (95% CI, 20.3%-24.3%), and 10.0% (95% CI, 8.5%-11.4%), respectively. Older age, less education, and lower income were associated with all types of VI. A higher prevalence of near visual acuity and contrast sensitivity impairments was associated with non-White race and Hispanic ethnicity.Conclusions and relevanceMore than 1 in 4 US adults 71 years and older had VI in 2021, higher than prior estimates. Differences in the prevalence of VI by socioeconomic and demographic factors were observed. These data could inform public health planning.

Dataset Information

Personality traits and the risk of sensory impairment: Evidence from the National Health and Aging Trends Study.

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Personality traits and the risk of sensory impairment: Evidence from the National Health and Aging Trends Study.

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