Study Links Personality Traits to Lifespan and Health Outcomes
December 18, 2025908 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology has found that personality traits can directly affect health and longevity. The research analyzed data from 569,859 participants across four continents, documenting 43,851 deaths, and examined five key personality traits: neuroticism, openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness.
Negative Effects of Neuroticism
The findings reveal that individuals exhibiting high levels of neuroticism—marked by chronic anxiety, stress, and emotional instability—are at a heightened risk of premature death, particularly among younger populations, where this effect is more pronounced.
Protective Effects of Conscientiousness and Openness
Individuals with high conscientiousness, characterized by discipline, commitment, and organization, demonstrate a lower likelihood of mortality, underscoring the importance of maintaining healthy habits and routines. Additionally, those who are open to experience—showing intellectual curiosity and engagement in diverse activities—also exhibit reduced mortality risk, especially in the United States and Australia, suggesting that cultural factors may enhance these benefits.
Indirect Health Impacts
The study further indicates that the connection between openness to experience and conscientiousness, and direct health indicators, is often weak or ambiguous in existing research. This suggests that their influence on longevity may primarily operate through lifestyle choices and daily behaviors.
Personality as a Key Health Determinant
Lead researcher Mary McGeehan from the University of Limerick in Ireland remarked, "Our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors not only influence our life satisfaction and social relationships but also our lifespan. Personality is a significant health determinant, comparable to socioeconomic status."
This research emphasizes that fostering positive personality traits, such as openness to experience and self-discipline, can have a meaningful impact on health and longevity.
Negative Effects of Neuroticism
The findings reveal that individuals exhibiting high levels of neuroticism—marked by chronic anxiety, stress, and emotional instability—are at a heightened risk of premature death, particularly among younger populations, where this effect is more pronounced.
Protective Effects of Conscientiousness and Openness
Individuals with high conscientiousness, characterized by discipline, commitment, and organization, demonstrate a lower likelihood of mortality, underscoring the importance of maintaining healthy habits and routines. Additionally, those who are open to experience—showing intellectual curiosity and engagement in diverse activities—also exhibit reduced mortality risk, especially in the United States and Australia, suggesting that cultural factors may enhance these benefits.
Indirect Health Impacts
The study further indicates that the connection between openness to experience and conscientiousness, and direct health indicators, is often weak or ambiguous in existing research. This suggests that their influence on longevity may primarily operate through lifestyle choices and daily behaviors.
Personality as a Key Health Determinant
Lead researcher Mary McGeehan from the University of Limerick in Ireland remarked, "Our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors not only influence our life satisfaction and social relationships but also our lifespan. Personality is a significant health determinant, comparable to socioeconomic status."
This research emphasizes that fostering positive personality traits, such as openness to experience and self-discipline, can have a meaningful impact on health and longevity.
