Personality Change Across Four Years in World Trade Center Responders.

This study examined longitudinal personality changes over four years in 452 older adults (mean age 55) who responded to the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center (WTC) attacks, using the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality and its facets. Results showed significant declines in the broad traits of Openness and Extraversion, with specific decreases in facets such as Aesthetic Sensitivity, Creative Imagination, Intellectual Curiosity, Anxiety, Anger Proneness, Positive Temperament, Venturesomeness, Ascendence, Empathy, and Achievement Striving. Neuroticism did not significantly change at the domain level but showed variability in facet-level changes among individuals. Neither age, sex, nor level of exposure to the WTC site significantly predicted personality change, highlighting the importance of facet-level analysis in understanding personality development in trauma-exposed populations. These findings may inform clinical approaches to the long-term mental health and well-being of trauma responders.