Neuroticism and Openness as Predictors of Social Readjustment and Nightmare Distress among Middle-Aged Adults
The critical review of social sciences studies February 19, 2026 Hira Ashiq, Saima Bano, Muhammad Adeeb et al.
Neuroticism and openness to experience predict social readjustment and nightmare distress in middle-aged adults. In a sample of 205 adults aged 35 to 60, neuroticism was positively linked to nightmare distress and negatively linked to social readjustment, while openness was positively associated with both. Social readjustment was negatively associated with nightmare distress. Regression analyses showed neuroticism as a stronger positive predictor of nightmare distress and a negative predictor of social readjustment; openness positively predicted social readjustment. The findings highlight the role of personality traits in psychological adjustment and distress during middle adulthood and suggest personality-based interventions may promote adaptive coping and emotional well-being.