13 &14

The level of one’s masculinity and feminine affects one’s life in every aspect. It is going to affect how you interact with others, your interest, your occupational choice, and whether one would focus more on family or career. People who are more toward the masculine side are more physically active and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. While those who are more feminine, though do not do as much as sports as masculine people do, develop deeper social connections.

It is intriguing to think about the relationship between the mortality of males and the deaths of their spouse. Generally, many men in the Terman study did not live long after the death of their wives. However, those who lost their wives but were also highly neurotic have a significantly reduced mortality rate. I thought someone who is moody and neurotic would be more negatively affected by the death of their spouse. Because they are more likely to immerse in the sadness of losing a loved one and constantly be reminded of memories they share with their wives. But it turns out that their personality trait also makes them more willing to take care of themselves after their spouses were gone.

Personality is also important in coping with stresses accompanying traumatic events. In the short term, most of us sharing the same physical response when facing a stressful situation. However, in the long term, there are individual differences in the reappraisal of stressful situations and coping strategies. Those who are less conscientious were more likely to develop drinking problems. And those who have disease-prone personalities such as depression, hostility and aggressiveness are more likely to get diseases lead by chronic stress.