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Cited by 38Health disparities and outcomesPersonality Traits and PsychologyTryptophan and brain disorders

Socioeconomic Status Interacts with Conscientiousness and Neuroticism to Predict Circulating Concentrations of Inflammatory Markers

Open access
Elliot, Ari J., Turiano, Nicholas A., Chapman, Benjamin P.·2017·Annals of Behavioral Medicine
DOI 10.1007/s12160-016-9847-zPMC PMC5373956
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic health disparities research may benefit from further consideration of dispositional factors potentially modifying risk associated with low socioeconomic status, including that indexed by systemic inflammation. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate interactions of SES and the Five-Factor Model (FFM) personality traits in predicting circulating concentrations of the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). METHOD: Using a sample of middle-aged and older adults from the Midlife in the United States Survey (MIDUS) biomarker project (N = 978), linear regression models tested interactions of each FFM trait with a composite measure of SES in predicting IL-6 and CRP, as well as the explanatory role of medical morbidity, measures of adiposity, and health behaviors. RESULTS: SES interacted with conscientiousness to predict levels of IL-6 (interaction b = .03, p = .002) and CRP (interaction b = .04, p = .014) and with neuroticism to predict IL-6 (interaction b = -.03, p = .004). Socioeconomic gradients in both markers were smaller at higher levels of conscientiousness. Conversely, the socioeconomic gradient in IL-6 was larger at higher levels of neuroticism. Viewed from the perspective of SES as the moderator, neuroticism was positively related to IL-6 at low levels of SES but negatively related at high SES. Interactions of SES with both conscientiousness and neuroticism were attenuated upon adjustment for measures of adiposity. CONCLUSIONS: Conscientiousness may buffer, and neuroticism amplify, excess inflammatory risk associated with low SES, in part through relationships with adiposity. Neuroticism may be associated with lower levels of inflammation at high levels of SES.

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Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In MIDUS biomarker participants, socioeconomic status interacted with conscientiousness and neuroticism to predict circulating IL-6 and CRP. Conscientiousness appeared to buffer socioeconomic gradients in inflammation, whereas neuroticism amplified the IL-6 gradient, with adiposity explaining much of the attenuation.

Key findings

  • SES interacted with conscientiousness to predict IL-6 (interaction b = .03, p = .002) and CRP (interaction b = .04, p = .014); socioeconomic gradients in both markers were smaller at higher conscientiousness.
  • SES interacted with neuroticism to predict IL-6 (interaction b = −.03, p = .004); the CRP interaction was similar in magnitude (b = −.04, p = .021) but did not meet the FDR-adjusted critical value of p < .015. The IL-6 socioeconomic gradient was larger at higher neuroticism.
  • Viewed with SES as moderator, neuroticism was positively related to IL-6 at low SES but negatively related at high SES; associations were significant at 1.5 SD below the SES mean (b = .02, p = .049) and 0.75 SD above the SES mean (b = −.02, p = .044).
  • Interactions of SES with conscientiousness and neuroticism were attenuated after adjustment for covariates, especially adiposity; the SES–conscientiousness interactions were attenuated 20–30%, and the SES–neuroticism interaction was attenuated 40%.

Methods

  • Sample: 978 middle-aged and older adults from the MIDUS biomarker project; participants ranged from 35 to 86 years (mean ≈ 58.0, SD = 11.6), were predominantly white (93%), and nearly 50% had a college degree.
  • Measures: IL-6 from serum and CRP from plasma, both base-10 log-transformed; SES was an equally weighted composite of standardized education, household income, and occupational prestige; Big Five traits were measured with MIDI Personality Scales.
  • Analysis: linear regression models tested each trait-by-SES interaction predicting IL-6 and CRP, with cluster-robust standard errors for 260 twin/sibling sets and False Discovery Rate correction at 5%; simple slopes and regions of significance followed significant interactions.

Limitations

  • The paper states inflammatory markers were measured at a single time point, so it could not determine whether SES–personality interactions predict changes over time; bidirectional causality is possible.
  • Health-related covariates and inflammatory markers were measured contemporaneously, so whether covariates were mediators or confounders could not be ascertained; adiposity may have partly resulted from as well as contributed to inflammation.
  • The neuroticism measure primarily taps anxiety; the sample is not nationally representative, is predominantly white, and has relatively high average education, limiting generalizability to racial/ethnic minorities and more socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s12160-016-9847-z

Cites

64 of 64 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

1 tests recomputed · 0 with the reported and recomputed p on opposite sides of .05

Claims the paper makes

0 of 62 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Interactions of SES and conscientiousness in predicting both IL-6 and CRP were modestly attenuated (20-30%) upon adjustment for all covariates, with measures of adiposity accounting for nearly all of this attenuation.

    “Interactions of SES and conscientiousness in predicting both inflammatory markers were modestly attenuated (20-30%) upon adjustment for all covariates, with measures of adiposity accounting for nearly all of this attenuation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Viewed from the perspective of SES as the moderator, neuroticism was positively related to IL-6 at low levels of SES but negatively related at high SES.

    “Viewed from the perspective of SES as the moderator, neuroticism was positively related to IL-6 at low levels of SES but negatively related at high SES.”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “When considering neuroticism as the predictor and SES as the moderator, neuroticism was associated with higher IL-6 at lower levels of SES but lower IL-6 at higher levels of SES.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    SES interacted with conscientiousness to predict circulating CRP concentrations in middle-aged and older adults.

    “and CRP (interaction b = .04, p = .014)”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “and CRP (b = .04 [.01 – .07], p = .014)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The interaction of SES and neuroticism predicting CRP approached but did not reach significance based on the FDR-adjusted critical value.

    “The same interaction in the model for CRP (b = −.04 [−.07 – −.01], p = .021) approached but did not reach significance based on the FDR-adjusted critical value (which corresponded to p < .015).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The socioeconomic gradient in IL-6 was larger at higher levels of neuroticism.

    “Conversely, the socioeconomic gradient in IL-6 was larger at higher levels of neuroticism.”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “the association between higher SES and lower IL-6 increased in magnitude with increasing levels of neuroticism”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “In contrast to results for conscientiousness, the socioeconomic gradient in IL-6 was larger at higher levels of neuroticism.”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “In summary, we found that socioeconomic gradients in inflammatory markers in middle-aged and older adults were attenuated at high levels of conscientiousness (an apparent protective factor at low SES) but further accentuated at high levels of neuroticism, which may be a risk factor at low SES but a protective factor at high SES.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 28
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 30

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The interaction of neuroticism with SES was attenuated (40%) in the fully adjusted model, with measures of adiposity reducing the coefficient to the greatest extent (30%).

    “The interaction of neuroticism with SES was more substantially attenuated (40%) in the fully adjusted model, with measures of adiposity again reducing the coefficient to the greatest extent (30%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Education interacted with both traits to predict IL-6, but not with conscientiousness in relation to CRP.

    “Education interacted with both traits to predict IL-6, but not with conscientiousness in relation to CRP.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Greater neuroticism was related to higher IL-6 at low SES, but lower IL-6 at high SES.

    “Greater neuroticism was related to higher IL-6 at low SES, but lower IL-6 at high SES, contributing to a larger SES differential.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Neuroticism and conscientiousness were negatively correlated with IL-6, whereas agreeableness was positively correlated with CRP.

    “Neuroticism and conscientiousness were negatively correlated with IL-6, whereas agreeableness was positively correlated with CRP.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    An interaction of extraversion and SES in predicting IL-6 approached but did not reach significance.

    “Regarding other big five traits, an interaction of extraversion and SES in predicting IL-6—in which the inverse association of SES with IL-6 was stronger at low levels of extraversion, and vice versa—approached but did not reach significance (b = .02 [.00 – .04], p = .026).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Results from robust regression models were highly similar (minimal changes in estimates or p values).

    “Results from analyses truncating and excluding values of CRP exceeding 10.0 mg/L were highly similar (all interaction ps < .05), as were results from robust regression models (minimal changes in estimates or p values).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The interaction of SES and neuroticism predicting CRP was comparable in magnitude to that for IL-6, but did not reach statistical significance on account of a larger standard error.

    “The interaction of SES and neuroticism predicting CRP was comparable in magnitude to that for IL-6, but did not reach statistical significance on account of a larger standard error.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Log-transformed IL-6 and CRP were correlated at .50.

    “Log-transformed IL-6 and CRP were correlated at .50.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    There were no interactions of SES with extraversion predicting CRP, or with openness or agreeableness predicting either IL-6 or CRP (all ps > .50).

    “There were no interactions of SES with extraversion predicting CRP, or with openness or agreeableness predicting either marker (not shown, all ps > .50).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    A post-hoc probe of 3-way interactions revealed no gender difference in the present study.

    “A study in a UK cohort (59) also indicated higher neuroticism-related risk for cardiovascular mortality at low SES but lower risk at high SES (with inflammation being a plausible biological mechanism), albeit only in women (a post-hoc probe of 3-way interactions revealed no such gender difference here).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A post-hoc test revealed a statistically significant interaction (b = −.08, p = .008) in which neuroticism was related to higher BMI at lower SES, but lower BMI at higher SES.

    “Indeed, a post-hoc test revealed a statistically significant interaction (b = −.08, p = .008) in which neuroticism was related to higher BMI at lower SES, but lower BMI at higher SES.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Two of the three significant interactions (neuroticism-by-SES for IL-6 and conscientiousness-by-SES for CRP) no longer reached the more stringent FDR-adjusted critical value, but remained significant according to the conventional alpha .05 threshold.

    “Two of the three significant interactions (neuroticism-by-SES for IL-6 and conscientiousness-by-SES for CRP) no longer reached the more stringent FDR-adjusted critical value, but remained significant according to the conventional alpha .05 threshold.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The MIDI personality scales show the expected five factor structure and demonstrate measurement invariance across age groups.

    “The MIDI personality scales show the expected five factor structure and demonstrate measurement invariance across age groups (45).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [45] Lachman, ME. Addendum for MIDI personality scales. MIDUS II version. 2005. http://www.brandeis.edu/departments/psych/lachman/pdfs/revised-midi-scales.pdf

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    IL-6 and CRP are key indicators of disease risk in middle-age and older adulthood as they are prospectively associated with coronary heart disease, diabetes, disability, and all-cause mortality.

    “Biomarkers of systemic inflammation, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are key indicators of disease risk in middle-age and older adulthood as they are prospectively associated with coronary heart disease (17,18) as well as diabetes (19), disability (20), and all-cause mortality (21).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [17] Danesh J, Wheeler JG, Hirschfield GM, et al. C-reactive protein and other circulating markers of inflammation in the prediction of coronary heart disease. N Engl J Med. 2004;350(14):1387–1397. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [18] Danesh J, Kaptoge S, Mann AG, et al. Long-term interleukin-6 levels and subsequent risk of coronary heart disease: Two new prospective studies and a systematic review. PLoS medicine. 2008;5(4):e78. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [19] Pradhan AD, Manson JE, Rifai N, Buring JE, Ridker PM. C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, and risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. JAMA. 2001;286(3):327–334. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [20] Ferrucci L, Harris TB, Guralnik JM, et al. Serum IL-6 level and the development of disability in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1999;47(6):639–646. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given

    Prior studies have examined interactions with dichotomous measures of SES.

    “Additionally, prior studies have examined interactions with dichotomous measures of SES.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    SES predicts basal levels of inflammatory markers as well as change in levels over time.

    “SES predicts basal levels of inflammatory markers (22,23) as well as change in levels over time (24).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [22] Herd P, Karraker A, Friedman E. The social patterns of a biological risk factor for disease: Race, gender, socioeconomic position, and C-reactive protein. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2012;67(4):503–513. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [23] Nazmi A, Victora CG. Socioeconomic and racial/ethnic differentials of C-reactive protein levels: A systematic review of population-based studies. BMC Public Health. 2007;7(1):212. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [24] Janicki-Deverts D, Cohen S, Kalra P, Matthews KA. The prospective association of socioeconomic status with C-reactive protein levels in the CARDIA study. Brain Behav Immun. 2012;26(7):1128–1135. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Associations of SES with health outcomes are typically graded, with each step lower on the socioeconomic ladder associated with poorer outcomes.

    “These associations are typically graded, with each step lower on the socioeconomic ladder associated with poorer outcomes (2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] Braveman PA, Cubbin C, Egerter S, Williams DR, Pamuk E. Socioeconomic disparities in health in the United States: What the patterns tell us. Am J Public Health. 2010;100(S1):S186-S196. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A meta-analysis reported associations of conscientiousness with both IL-6 and CRP, as well as an association of openness with lower CRP.

    “With regard to personality, a meta-analysis (25) reported associations of conscientiousness with both IL-6 and CRP, as well as an association of openness with lower CRP.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] Luchetti M, Barkley JM, Stephan Y, Terracciano A, Sutin AR. Five-factor model personality traits and inflammatory markers: New data and a meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014;50:181–193. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Studies have reported stronger associations of presumably adaptive and maladaptive dispositions with physical functioning and mortality at lower levels of SES, thereby contributing to smaller or larger socioeconomic gradients.

    “Consistent with the vulnerability model, studies have reported stronger associations of presumably adaptive (e.g., perceived control) and maladaptive (e.g., neuroticism and negative affectivity) dispositions with physical functioning and mortality at lower levels of SES, thereby contributing to smaller or larger socioeconomic gradients (33-36).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [33] Jaconelli A, Stephan Y, Canada B, Chapman BP. Personality and physical functioning among older adults: The moderating role of education. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2013;68(4):553–557. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [34] Lazzarino AI, Hamer M, Stamatakis E, Steptoe A. The combined association of psychological distress and socioeconomic status with all-cause mortality: A national cohort study. JAMA Intern. Med. 2013;173(1):22–27. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [35] Lazzarino AI, Hamer M, Stamatakis E, Steptoe A. Low socioeconomic status and psychological distress as synergistic predictors of mortality from stroke and coronary heart disease. Psychosom Med. 2013;75(3):311–316. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [36] Elliot, A.J. & Chapman, B. P. Socioeconomic status, psychological resources, and inflammatory markers: Results from the MIDUS study. Health Psychol. 2016; doi: 10.1037/hea0000392 . source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The MIDI scales are moderately to highly correlated (.6 - .8) with the corresponding scales from the NEO personality inventory short form, although the correlation of MIDI agreeableness with NEO agreeableness was weaker (.42) and comparable to its correlation (.38) with NEO extraversion.

    “With regard to construct validity, the MIDI scales are moderately to highly correlated (.6 - .8) with the corresponding scales from the NEO personality inventory short form (NEO-PI-SF), although the correlation of MIDI agreeableness with NEO agreeableness was weaker (.42) and comparable to its correlation (.38) with NEO extraversion (46).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [46] Aiken LS, West SG. Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park, CA: Sage; 1991.

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Personality traits are consistently linked to physical health outcomes and markers of SES.

    “Candidate factors in this regard include personality traits, which themselves are consistently linked to physical health outcomes (7,8) and markers of SES (9).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [7] Murray AL, Booth T. Personality and physical health. Curr Opin Psychol.2015;5:50–55. source

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    • cites [8] Chapman BP, Roberts B, Duberstein P. Personality and longevity: Knowns, unknowns, and implications for public health and personalized medicine. J Aging Res. 2011;2011:759170. source

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    • cites [9] Chapman BP, Fiscella K, Kawachi I, Duberstein PR. Personality, socioeconomic status, and all-cause mortality in the United States. Am J Epidemiol. 2010;171(1):83–92. source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Conscientiousness and neuroticism consistently predict cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, among other outcomes.

    “Conscientiousness (a tendency toward self-discipline, reliability, and orderliness) and neuroticism (proneness to negative emotionality) in particular consistently predict cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, among other outcomes (8,10-12).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [8] Chapman BP, Roberts B, Duberstein P. Personality and longevity: Knowns, unknowns, and implications for public health and personalized medicine. J Aging Res. 2011;2011:759170. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [10] Friedman HS, Kern ML. Personality, well-being, and health. Annu Rev Psychol. 2014;65(1):719–742. source

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    • cites [11] Turiano NA, Chapman BP, Gruenewald TL, Mroczek DK. Personality and the leading behavioral contributors of mortality. Health Psychol. 2015;34(1):51–60. source

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    • cites [12] Jokela M, Pulkki-Raback L, Elovainio M, Kivimaki M. Personality traits as risk factors for stroke and coronary heart disease mortality: Pooled analysis of three cohort studies. J Behav Med. 2014;37(5):881–889. source

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    A recent study found that dispositional characteristics including perceived control and self-esteem were more strongly associated with lower IL-6, but not CRP, in lower SES men.

    “There is some evidence for a similar pattern in relation to inflammation, as a recent study found that dispositional characteristics including perceived control and self-esteem were more strongly associated with lower IL-6, but not CRP, in lower SES men (37).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37] Millar K, Lloyd SM, McLean JS, et al. Personality, socio-economic status and inflammation: Cross-sectional, population-based study. PloS one. 2013;8(3):e58256. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    SES is related to myriad health outcomes including mortality, and partly explains corresponding racial disparities.

    “SES is related to myriad health outcomes including mortality, and partly explains corresponding racial disparities (4).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] Thorpe Jr RJ, Koster A, Bosma H, et al. Racial differences in mortality in older adults: Factors beyond socioeconomic status. Ann Behav Med. 2012;43(1):29–38. source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The selective vulnerability model posits that health-related risk associated with socioeconomic disadvantage may be compounded by certain personality traits (e.g. high neuroticism) but attenuated by others (e.g., high conscientiousness).

    “One model of personality-SES interaction, termed selective vulnerability, posits that health-related risk associated with socioeconomic disadvantage may be compounded by certain personality traits (e.g. high neuroticism) but attenuated by others (e.g., high conscientiousness) (8).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [8] Chapman BP, Roberts B, Duberstein P. Personality and longevity: Knowns, unknowns, and implications for public health and personalized medicine. J Aging Res. 2011;2011:759170. source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    In a Scottish cohort study, higher neuroticism was associated with higher levels of IL-6 and CRP in persons from high-SES neighborhoods but lower levels in persons from low-SES neighborhoods.

    “For instance, in a Scottish cohort study (38), higher neuroticism was associated with higher levels of IL-6 and CRP in persons from high-SES neighborhoods but lower levels in persons from low-SES neighborhoods.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [38] Mwendwa DT, Ali MK, Sims RC, et al. Dispositional depression and hostility are associated with inflammatory markers of cardiovascular disease in African Americans. Brain Behav Immun. 2013;28:72–82. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Conscientiousness appears to be a protective factor and neuroticism a risk factor, although neuroticism is occasionally associated with reduced risk.

    “Conscientiousness appears to a protective factor and neuroticism, a risk factor, although neuroticism is occasionally associated with reduced risk (13-15).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [13] Weiss A, Costa Jr PT. Domain and facet personality predictors of all-cause mortality among medicare patients aged 65 to 100. Psychosom Med. 2005;67(5):724–733. source

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    • cites [14] Friedman HS, Kern ML, Reynolds CA. Personality and health, subjective well-being, and longevity. J Pers. 2010;78(1):179–216. source

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    • cites [15] Ploubidis GB, Grundy E. Personality and all cause mortality: Evidence for indirect links. Pers Indiv Dif. 2009;47(3):203–208. source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Interactions between SES and big five traits in white U.S. adults have not been studied, and there has been little investigation of biobehavioral factors that might explain observed interactions.

    “Interactions between SES and big five traits in white U.S. adults have not been studied, and there has been little investigation of biobehavioral factors that might explain observed interactions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Neuroticism has been associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers in multiple studies, in addition to several null findings.

    “In addition to several null findings (26-28), neuroticism has been associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers in multiple studies (29,30).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [26] Chapman BP, Khan A, Harper M, et al. Gender, race/ethnicity, personality, and interleukin-6 in urban primary care patients. Brain Behav Immun. 2009;23(5):636–642. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [27] Chapman BP, van Wijngaarden E, Seplaki CL, Talbot N, Duberstein P, Moynihan J. Openness and conscientiousness predict 34-SSweek patterns of interleukin-6 in older persons. Brain Behav Immun. 2011;25(4):667–673. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [28] Mottus R, Luciano M, Starr JM, Pollard MC, Deary IJ. Personality traits and inflammation in men and women in their early 70s: The lothian birth cohort 1936 study of healthy aging. Psychosom Med. 2013;75(1):11–19. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [29] Armon G, Melamed S, Shirom A, Berliner S, Shapira I. The associations of the five factor model of personality with inflammatory biomarkers: A four-year prospective study. Pers Individ Dif. 2013;54(6):750–755. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [30] Sutin AR, Terracciano A, Deiana B, et al. High neuroticism and low conscientiousness are associated with interleukin-6. Psychol Med. 2010;40(09):1485–1493. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The laboratory intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variance were in acceptable ranges for IL-6 and CRP.

    “The laboratory intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variance were in acceptable ranges for IL-6 (3.25% & 12.31%) and CRP (4.4% & 5.7%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Biomarker participants were similar on most health-related characteristics, but were less likely to smoke.

    “Biomarker participants were also similar on most health-related characteristics, but were less likely to smoke (p < .01).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [40] O’Connor M, Bower JE, Cho HJ, et al. To assess, to control, to exclude: Effects of biobehavioral factors on circulating inflammatory markers. Brain Behav Immun. 2009;23(7):887–897. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Taken together, these findings suggest that conscientiousness is related to lower inflammation through protective effects on body mass/adiposity, and that these indirect effects may be stronger at lower levels of SES.

    “Taken together, these findings suggest that conscientiousness is related to lower inflammation through protective effects on body mass/adiposity, and that these indirect effects may be stronger at lower levels of SES.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [25] Luchetti M, Barkley JM, Stephan Y, Terracciano A, Sutin AR. Five-factor model personality traits and inflammatory markers: New data and a meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014;50:181–193. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [56] McLaren L. Socioeconomic status and obesity. Epidemiol Rev. 2007;29:29–48. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    A false discovery rate of 5% was set, accounting for the possibility that 5% of significant results among the ten personality-SES interactions tested would be false positives.

    “We set a false discovery rate of 5%, accounting for the possibility that 5% of significant results among the ten personality-SES interactions tested would be false positives.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The sample is predominantly white and features a relatively high average level of education.

    “More specifically, in addition to being predominantly white the sample features a relatively high average level of education.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Those with missing data had lower levels of CRP but were otherwise comparable to those with complete data.

    “Those with missing data had lower levels of CRP, t (98.2) = −2.38, p = .010, d = .27, but were otherwise comparable to those with complete data.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Approximately 93% of participants (N=978) had complete data on all variables in this study.

    “Approximately 93% of participants (N=978) had complete data on all variables in this study.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Individuals who are higher in conscientiousness report lower levels of stress and more effective coping styles.

    “For instance, individuals who are higher in conscientiousness report lower levels of stress (51) and more effective coping styles (58), which might protect against stress-induced systemic inflammation in low-SES circumstances characterized by greater prevalence and severity of stressors (32).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [51] Chapman BP, Hampson S, Clarkin J. Personality-informed interventions for healthy aging: Conclusions from a national institute on aging work group. Dev Psychol. 2014;50(5):1426. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [58] Hagger-Johnson G, Roberts B, Boniface D, et al. Neuroticism and cardiovascular disease mortality: Socioeconomic status modifies the risk in women (UK health and lifestyle survey). Psychosom Med. 2012;74(6):596–603. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    SES was more weakly correlated with conscientiousness than is sometimes the case, likely as a result of reduced socioeconomic diversity.

    “Likely as a result of reduced socioeconomic diversity, SES was more weakly correlated with conscientiousness than is sometimes the case (65).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [65]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Other studies have reported smaller socioeconomic gradients in IL-6 and mortality at higher levels of psychological resources including perceived control.

    “Other studies have reported smaller socioeconomic gradients in IL-6 and mortality at higher levels of psychological resources including perceived control (33,37).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [33] Jaconelli A, Stephan Y, Canada B, Chapman BP. Personality and physical functioning among older adults: The moderating role of education. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2013;68(4):553–557. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [37] Millar K, Lloyd SM, McLean JS, et al. Personality, socio-economic status and inflammation: Cross-sectional, population-based study. PloS one. 2013;8(3):e58256. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The biomarker sample was comparable to the broader MIDUS II sample on age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, and income, although participants were more likely to have a college degree.

    “Love and colleagues (40) reported that the biomarker sample was comparable to the broader MIDUS II sample on age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, and income, although participants were more likely to have a college degree (p < .01).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [40] O’Connor M, Bower JE, Cho HJ, et al. To assess, to control, to exclude: Effects of biobehavioral factors on circulating inflammatory markers. Brain Behav Immun. 2009;23(7):887–897. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Models were estimated with cluster-robust standard errors due to the inclusion of 260 sets of twins or siblings in the analytic sample.

    “Models were estimated with cluster-robust standard errors due to the inclusion of 260 sets of twins or siblings in the analytic sample.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The False Discovery Rate technique was used to account for the increased Type I error rate resulting from multiple statistical tests.

    “To account for the increased Type I error rate resulting from multiple statistical tests, we utilized the False Discovery Rate technique (FDR; (49).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [49] Hampson SE, Edmonds GW, Goldberg LR, Dubanoski JP, Hillier TA. Childhood conscientiousness relates to objectively measured adult physical health four decades later. Health Psychol. 2013;32(8):925. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    Some degree of bidirectional causality is possible if inflammation influences affect and motivation over extended periods, thereby affecting personality.

    “Although the predictors were measured a few years prior to the outcomes, some degree of bidirectional causality is possible if inflammation influences affect and motivation over extended periods of time, thereby affecting personality (25).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] Luchetti M, Barkley JM, Stephan Y, Terracciano A, Sutin AR. Five-factor model personality traits and inflammatory markers: New data and a meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014;50:181–193. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The extent to which results extend to racial/ethnic minorities and to more socioeconomically disadvantaged populations is unknown.

    “Thus, the extent to which results extend to racial/ethnic minorities and to more socioeconomically disadvantaged populations is unknown.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    A study in a UK cohort indicated higher neuroticism-related risk for cardiovascular mortality at low SES but lower risk at high SES, albeit only in women.

    “A study in a UK cohort (59) also indicated higher neuroticism-related risk for cardiovascular mortality at low SES but lower risk at high SES (with inflammation being a plausible biological mechanism), albeit only in women (a post-hoc probe of 3-way interactions revealed no such gender difference here).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [59] Friedman HS. Long-term relations of personality and health: Dynamisms, mechanisms, tropisms. J Pers. 2000;68(6):1089–1107. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Internal consistency alphas in the analytic sample were acceptable for the MIDI personality scales (neuroticism = .76; extraversion = .78; openness = .77; agreeableness = .82; conscientiousness = .70).

    “Internal consistency alphas in the analytic sample were as follows: neuroticism = .76; extraversion = .78; openness = .77; agreeableness = .82; conscientiousness = .70.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Taken together, results of primary and sensitivity analyses indicated that interactions of SES with conscientiousness were most robust, whereas the evidence for unique interactions of SES with neuroticism was somewhat more modest.

    “Taken together, results of primary and sensitivity analyses indicated that interactions of SES with conscientiousness were most robust, whereas the evidence for unique interactions of SES with neuroticism was somewhat more modest.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Strengths of the study include a large, nationally recruited sample, as well as the use of multiple indicators of SES and markers of inflammation.

    “Strengths of the study include a large, nationally recruited sample, as well as the use of multiple indicators of SES and markers of inflammation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Chapman and colleagues previously reported that extraversion was associated with lower IL-6 in a low-SES primary care sample.

    “Chapman and colleagues (26) previously reported that extraversion was associated with lower IL-6 in a low-SES primary care sample, and thus further study may be warranted.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [26] Chapman BP, Khan A, Harper M, et al. Gender, race/ethnicity, personality, and interleukin-6 in urban primary care patients. Brain Behav Immun. 2009;23(5):636–642. source

      Not checked in the free run.

49 of 49

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • In the periphery, recumbency and sleep-associated changes in the vasculature could affect the draining of proteins from tissues and organs by the lymphatic system.

    “In the periphery, recumbency and sleep-associated changes in the vasculature could likewise affect the draining of proteins from tissues and organs by the lymphatic system”

    From The Sleep-Immune Crosstalk in Health and Disease (2019) · cites this paper as [167]

Statistics that don’t add up

Each reported p-value recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom.

  • p-value fits an unstated one-tailed test: t (98.2) = −2.38, p = .010

    Minor

    The paper reports p = .01 here; recomputing from the test statistic and its degrees of freedom gives p = .019 (two-tailed). The reported value is what a one-tailed test gives, but the paper does not say near this result that a one-tailed test was used.

    Reported p = .01 · recomputed p = .019

1 of 1

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Doesn’t add upt(98.2) = -2.38reported p = .01 · recomputed p = .019

    “t (98.2) = −2.38, p = .010”

1 of 1

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • CRP association called significant despite p = .07

    Minor

    The text calls the association at mean SES significant, but reports p = .07 for CRP, above the stated .05 alpha level for simple slopes.

1 of 1

Cites

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Related

Authors
Elliot, A. J., Turiano, N. A., & Chapman, B. P.
Affiliations
  • University of Rochester Medicine (US)
  • West Virginia University (US)
Corresponding author
Elliot, Ari J.
ORCID
Venue
Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2016-10-13
Volume
51
Issue
2
Pages
240-250
ISSN
  • 0742-5554 (ISSN-L)
  • 0883-6612
  • 1532-4796
DOI
10.1007/s12160-016-9847-z
PMC
PMC5373956
OpenAlex
W2530315149
Semantic Scholar
57f94d537d9b161f1c31c78fd4ab61ae76b692b6
Cited by
37
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 3
FWCI
6.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (unspecified)
Locations
  • Annals of Behavioral Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes on Aging (R01AG044588)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Keywords
socioeconomic status, conscientiousness, neuroticism, Big Five personality traits, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, systemic inflammation, health disparities, adiposity, personality traits, middle-aged and older adults
MeSH terms
Neuroticism, Adult, Aged, C-Reactive Protein, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Personality, Personality Inventory, Social Class, United States, Health Behavior, Interleukin-6, Body Mass Index

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

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