Stability and predictive ability of personality traits across 9 years

In the present study, personality traits, as assessed by the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP) were found to be stable after 9 years, both with regard to mean level stability (absolute stability) and rank-order stability (relative or differential stability). Moreover, outcome scales were applied measuring either perceptions of satisfaction or scales measuring functioning. Personality scales (from the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the KSP) completed in 1986/1987 were associated with measures (completed in 1995/1996) of satisfaction and functioning of family life, emotional and physical health, and work. Specifically, neuroticism-related personality traits predicted a lack of satisfaction with health, but not functional problems due to health. In contrast, neuroticism-related personality traits predicted poor functioning but not satisfaction with family life and work.