The risk of cognitive impairment in old age and consequently the increased likelihood of dementia, among other factors, is related to a person’s personality traits, according to a new US scientific study.
People who are conscientious, organized and self-disciplined, non-neurotic and very extroverted are less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment at some point in their lives. In contrast, mood swings, mood swings, and emotional disturbances are more likely to cause cognitive impairment.
The researchers, led by Tomico Joneda of the Department of Psychology at the University of Victoria in Canada, published their findings in the American Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, analyzing data from nearly 2,000 people (74% women) in order to explore the relationship between personality traits and mental health after middle age. Participants – none of whom were formally diagnosed with dementia – underwent psychological tests to assess their personality and an annual test to assess their cognitive abilities.
As Yonda stated, “Personality traits reflect relatively persistent patterns of thought and behavior, which can cumulatively affect how healthy or unhealthy one thinks and behaves throughout life. The accumulation of experiences throughout life can then contribute to being vulnerable to certain diseases or disorders, such as mild cognitive impairment, or contribute to differences in individuals’ resilience to age-related neurological changes.».
People with high conscience and sense of duty tend to be responsible, organized, hardworking and purposeful. Those who are very neurotic have low emotional stability, mood swings, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and other negative emotions. Extroverts draw energy by being with others, directing their attention to others and the outside world in general, they are enthusiastic, talkative and confident.
The study showed that the higher a person’s score on conscientiousness and the lower on neurosis, the less likely they were to develop cognitive impairment later in life. For example, according to the researchers, on a scale of 0-48, six more scores on conscientiousness were found to be associated with a 22% reduction in the risk of cognitive impairment. On the other hand, seven more points on the neuroticism scale from 0 to 48 are associated with a 12% increase in the probability of cognitive impairment.
Indicatively, an 80-year-old very conscientious was estimated to live almost two more years without cognitive impairment, compared to a peer with little conscientiousness and organization. A highly extroverted person of the same age lives about an extra year with no cognitive impairment, compared to a very introverted person. A very neurotic has about one less time of cognitive-mental health.
In addition, an extrovert and non-neurotic are more likely to recover cognitively after a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. This shows, according to the researchers, that these personality traits work protectively even when one has started the path to dementia. On the other hand, no correlation was found between personality and life expectancy.
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