Your personality can affect your brain health as you age

In particular, people who scored higher on a trait known as neuroticism were more likely to experience a decline in cognitive function as they aged. However, those who scored higher on traits like conscientiousness and extraversion seemed to fare better.

How might your personality affect cognitive function in later life?

Lead author Tomiko Yoneda, PhD, who completed the study as a PhD candidate at Victoria University, Canada, in conjunction with colleagues at Northwestern University and the University of Edinburgh, looked at three characteristics. specific personality traits — conscientiousness, neuroticism, and extroversion — and how those traits affect people’s cognitive function as they age.

According to Susan T. Charles, PhD, Professor of Psychological Science and Nursing Science at the University of California, Irvine, who was not involved in the study, conscientious people are organized, hard-working, and complete. work meticulously and carefully.

“Basically, if you want a friend to pick up a package for you, or not forget to pick you up at the airport, choose the person you’re most committed to,” says Charles.

Charles says that people who score high on extroversion are generally happier.

“They’re also more outgoing, more energetic, and more sociable,” she says. “They’re also good leaders, because they have positive energy.”

Charles says neurosis is linked to a lack of confidence, depression and anxiety, as well as emotional instability.

People with this trait can react strongly to stressors. For example, if you have a friend who is a “negative person” or a “anxiety person,” they may be highly neurotic, according to Charles.

To better understand the relationship between these traits and cognitive decline, the researchers examined data from 1,954 participants in the Rapid Memory and Aging Project. This study looked at older adults living in the greater Chicago metropolitan area and northeastern Illinois.

Study participants were recruited from senior housing institutions, retirement communities and church groups, beginning in 1997 and continuing today. None of them were diagnosed with dementia. Each person was assessed for personality at the start of the study and agreed to receive a cognitive assessment each year thereafter.

Anyone who received at least two annual cognitive assessments or one prior to death was included in the analysis.

When the data were examined, it was found that those who scored high on conscientiousness or low on neuroticism were less likely to have mild cognitive impairment as the study proceeded.

Extraversion was not significantly associated with the development of mild cognitive impairment, however, it was found that those who scored high on this trait tended to maintain cognitive function the longest.

In addition, the data suggest that people with lower neurologic deficits and higher neuroticism are more likely to recover normal cognitive function after receiving a previous diagnosis of impairment. mild perception. This suggests, according to the authors, that this personality trait may be protected even after a person begins to develop dementia.

The team found no link between these personality traits and total life expectancy.

Yoneda said a link between personality type and risk of cognitive decline may exist because these personality traits can influence a person’s health behavior throughout their life.

“For example” – Yoneda says – “People with higher levels of conscientiousness tend to be less likely to engage in risky behaviors (e.g., violence, drug use) and more likely to engage in risky behaviors. health-promoting behavior (e.g. physical activity)”.

Your personality traits are not necessarily your destiny

However, health experts point out that possessing a particular set of personality traits doesn’t necessarily mean you stick with them. You can change these traits, which can help you maintain your cognitive function.

“Given current results, coupled with extensive research in the personality field, the goal of increasing conscientiousness (e.g., through continuous behavior change) is a potential strategy,” said Yoneda. to promote healthy cognitive aging”.

Charles also feels that this might be possible: “If you think about it – cognitive-behavioral treatments from clinical psychologists have the effect of altering cognition (thinking) and behavior.” They often do the same for people with depression or anxiety (most common emotional disorders), but when you realize that a personality is defined as thinking patterns and behavior is stable, then you can apply what we do in clinical psychology to personality.”

To become more conscientious, she suggests thinking about how this personality trait is characterized: docile, organized, and trustworthy.

“Do you know where your social security card is?” – Charles asked – “Is your desk, wallet, bag, whatever? Are you on time for work or when you tell your friends you’ll see them?”.

If you’re not, then she recommends thinking about the areas of your life where you’re disorganized and starting to work on those areas.

To become more extroverted, she suggests working on increasing the aspects of your life related to happiness, energy, and sociability.

“Meet people, interact with them and have fun with them. If you’ve had a long week at work, see friends for the weekend. It’s worth it,” she said.

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