The Importance of Comparison Groups when Studying Life Events and Personality Change

Bühler et al. present a comprehensive synthesis of the current evidence on life events and personality trait change. I highlight the need for case-control designs to replicate some of the findings. Because of the shortage of studies including comparison groups, conclusions are now based on pre- and post-event personality measures, which might capture changes occurring regardless of events. Despite limitations in the research designs of past studies, this meta-analysis demonstrates that the impact of single life events on personality is small. I complement the authors’ suggestions for future research with approaches from life course sociology used to contextualize life events.