Differential Psychology

New article on the links between epigenetic aging and personality differences

2026-01-28T13:10:01+01:00

Differences in the extent to which individual personality trait levels remain the same or change over time result from genetic and environmental factors and their interplay. Environmental factors can induce changes in the expression of genes, known as epigenetic changes. As epigenetic changes might be related with age (i.e., epigenetic aging), they could also influence personality change over time. Conversely, personality differences could influence individual experiences that accelerate or decelerate epigenetic aging.

Based on data from the German twin family panel TwinLife and the TwinLife Epigenetic Change Satellite (TECS) project, we explored patterns, sources, and links of epigenetic aging and Big Five personality trait differences. Information on epigenetic aging was derived from saliva-based DNA methylation and on personality traits from self-reports. Data from two timepoints around 2.3 years apart from 1,088 early adolescent to young adult twins were considered.

Longitudinal statistical model analyses revealed significant mean-level acceleration in epigenetic aging and decreases in all personality traits except neuroticism. Differences between individuals in their intraindividual change were mainly driven by environment. Acceleration in epigenetic aging over time was associated with higher baseline agreeableness and conscientiousness and with decreases in conscientiousness over time. At baseline, more accelerated epigenetic aging was related with lower conscientiousness. Links involving stable personality differences were primarily genetic. The link between changes in epigenetic aging and conscientiousness was almost completely environmental.

Conscientiousness turned out to be the most robust personality correlate of epigenetic aging. We discuss the findings within a framework of gene-environment interplay underlying stable differences and change of epigenetic aging and personality traits.

Link to the full article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08902070261418426

Prof. Christian Kandler is new president elect of the DPPD section in the German Psychological Society

2025-11-04T14:20:39+01:00

The election of the new executive board of the Differential Psychology, Personality Psychology, and Psychological Assessment (DPPD; https://www.dgps.de/fachgruppen/fgdf/) section in the German Psychological Society (DGPs) took place electronically from September 8, 2025, to October 22, 2025. A total of 220 full members of the section took part in the election. The turnout was thus 68.54%. Prof. Dr. Christian Kandler was elected to the position of the president elect. (2025-2027) and thus as future president for the DPPD section (2027-2029) with 208 yes votes out of 220 valid votes. He accepted the election.

Christian Kandler earned the Established Scholar Award

2025-09-27T11:04:39+02:00

Professor Christian Kandler received the Franziska Baumgarten Prize for established scholars and their outstanding achievements in the field of personality psychology. The prize is awarded by the Differential and Personality Psychology and Psychological Assessment Section (DPPD) of the German Psychological Society (DGPs) to outstanding scientists who have made significant contributions to the field. The review committee praises Kandler's research as groundbreaking, combining genetic, social, and environmental influences on personality to enable a comprehensive understanding of individual differences. “With projects such as SPeADy and TwinLife, he has established integrative longitudinal models and provided decisive impetus for international research.” The prize is endowed with 1,500 euros (sponsored by Hogrefe Publishing) and was awarded on September 22 at the symposium in Kassel. Christian Kandler has been Professor of Differential and Personality Psychology, Behavioral Genetics, and Psychological Assessment at the Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science at Bielefeld University since April of this year.

Our team is growing!

2025-08-27T13:16:14+02:00

In October 2025, our team is being strengthened by additional team members: Dr. Mirko Ruks, Lena Weigel, Merlene Schmidt and PD Dr. Bastian Mönkediek.

Linda and Jana have earned their doctorates!

2025-08-27T13:13:29+02:00

In April and May of 2025, Linda and Jana have successfully defended their doctoral thesis. They completed their doctorate with the highest grade: summa cum laude! Yeah!