Abstract
Most research on aggregate genetic influences on personality and mood to date has focused on polygenic predictors of personality state or level, or has used longitudinal family designs to examine latent genetic contributions to change. Recently, we examined polygenic influences on levels and changes in personality and mood using longitudinal data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) project. We used recently developed polygenic indices (PGIs) to predict latent growth curves of personality and mood dynamics measured by self-reported Big Five scales and daily diary entries. Personality PGIs predicted the average level of personality and mood dynamics across adulthood, with a few important exceptions when predicting mood dynamics. The PGIs did not, however, predict slopes strongly. Variance components analyses suggest substantial genetic variance in level and changes of personality and mood that is not accounted for by PGIs, and that genetic influences may operate multidimensionally to influence personality and mood change.
About the speaker
Kristian E. Markon is Research Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. His research examines the structure and measurement of personality and psychopathology, combining psychometrics, quantitative modelling and genetics. He helped develop the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) and co-authored Understanding the Personality Inventory for DSM-5, published by American Psychiatric Association Publishing in 2024. His research also addresses genomics and psychological functioning through collaborations on the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study and projects at the Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research.