Key result
Higher neuroticism is linked to greater sleep problems while conscientiousness predicts fewer over 9 years.
Why the study?
Personality traits influence health behaviors and outcomes across adulthood, but their impact on multidimensional sleep health is less explored.
Do Big Five personality traits predict multidimensional sleep problems over time in middle-aged and older adults?
Cohort (n=2,758)
Do Big Five personality traits predict multidimensional sleep problems over time in middle-aged and older adults?
Effect estimate: β 0.12 (95% CI 0.05, 0.18)
Personality traits, particularly neuroticism and conscientiousness, are consistently associated with multidimensional sleep problems over a 9-year period in adults.
No change to clinical sleep assessment; leaves open personality traits as targets for prospective sleep intervention trials.
Introduction Personality traits influence health behaviors and outcomes across adulthood, yet their impact on multidimensional sleep health is less explored. We examined longitudinal associations between the Big Five personality traits and sleep health in middle-aged and older US adults to explore how stable personality characteristics influence multiple dimensions of sleep over time. Methods We included a longitudinal sample of adults aged 30–84 years (N = 2,758) from the Midlife in the United States Study (MIDUS). Baseline personality traits were assessed using 25 items representing the Big Five dimensions from the Midlife Development Inventory. Multidimensional sleep problems were measured using a RuSATED-based composite (regularity, satisfaction, alertness, efficiency and duration) at baseline and again after approximately 9 years. Associations between personality traits and subsequent sleep dimensions were examined using adjusted linear and logistic regression models. Results Higher neuroticism was associated with greater sleep problems (β = 0.12, CI: 0.05, 0.18), whereas higher conscientiousness predicted fewer sleep problems (β = −0.12, CI: −0.21, −0.04). For individual sleep outcomes, higher neuroticism was associated with poor sleep satisfaction (AOR = 1.52, CI: 1.31, 1.75), low efficiency (longer sleep latency) (AOR = 1.50, CI: 1.28, 1.75), and short sleep duration (AOR = 1.25, CI: 1.07, 1.46). Greater openness (AOR = 0.83, CI: 0.71, 0.97) and higher extraversion (AOR = 0.82, CI: 0.71, 0.95) were both associated with better sleep satisfaction (lower odds of poor satisfaction). Higher conscientiousness predicted better sleep across domains, including greater sleep satisfaction (AOR = 0.74, CI: 0.61, 0.89) and better daytime alertness (AOR = 0.77, CI: 0.64, 0.93). Conclusion We found that personality traits—particularly neuroticism and conscientiousness—were consistently associated with multidimensional sleep problems over nine years, indicating that stable psychological characteristics meaningfully shape long-term sleep health. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating personality-based risk profiles into sleep health promotion and intervention strategies. Support (if any)
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Thalil et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Sleep problems (n=2,758). Big Five personality traits was evaluated on Multidimensional sleep problems (RuSATED-based composite) (β 0.12, 95% CI 0.05, 0.18). Higher neuroticism was associated with greater sleep problems (β = 0.12; 95% CI 0.05-0.18), whereas higher conscientiousness predicted fewer sleep problems over 9 years.
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