Advanced activities of daily living in Argentines over 50 years: its relationship with openness to experiences and resilience

Introduction: Advanced activities of daily living (A-ADLs) are an important indicator of adult functional status and active aging. However, few studies have investigated the influence of two personality attributes (openness to experience and resilience) on A-ADLs, and there is no data in the Argentine context. The relationship between A-ADLs and openness and resilience were analyzed, and secondarily the relationship between openness and resilience was examined. Methods: 151 Argentineans (Mage = 66) were evaluated with the Scale of Expansive Activities of Daily Life, the IPIP-NEO Personality Inventory and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Partial correlations and regression were carried out, controlling for age and education. Results: there were significant (moderate) correlations between all the variables of interest: openness, resilience and A-ADLs. The measures of resilience, openness and education explain 21 % of the variation in the A-ADLs score. Resilience was the variable that most influenced A-ADLs. Conclusion: a personality with more resilience and openness is associated with greater achievement of A-ADLs in Argentines ≥ 50 years old. It is suggested that the Argentine state implement public policies that promote recreational activity and social integration in older and middle age.