Credits: Adamkaz/iStock
This personality trait can indicate that you will develop dementia in the future
Since the beginning of time, humans have discovered the complexity of the mind and the way it intersects with our actions and thoughts, directly impacting our health and well-being. According to his latest investigation American Psychological AssociationOur personality is the determining factor in our risk of developing brain disorders, such as dementia.
The research, published in the renowned Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, brought relevant discoveries about the relationship between personality traits and cognitive problems. It has been found that neurotic people, who are prone to stress and anxiety, are more susceptible to cognitive decline.
Personality as a determinant of brain integrity
In contrast, the study determined that more thoughtful and aware people have a much lower risk of developing dementia, as well as having a greater ability to recover from moderate disabilities. According to researchers, personality serves as an internal compass that leads us throughout our lives to adopt certain behaviors and thinking patterns, which directly affects health, the emergence of diseases, and longevity.
How was the study conducted?
To arrive at these findings, the researchers analyzed data from nearly two decades of annual assessments of about 2,000 older adults. Part of the program included a personality assessment, which rated traits such as neuroticism and conscientiousness, giving them a score ranging from 0 to 48. As for extraversion, which is a trait that measures the extent to which an individual seeks and enjoys social participation, it received a score from 0 to 24.
What results were obtained?
The study showed that those who scored high on awareness had a lower risk of cognitive impairment. Conversely, individuals with high scores of neuroticism were more likely to progress through stages of cognitive impairment. Extraversion scores showed a more complex relationship with cognitive decline. More extroverts had no special protection against cognitive impairment, however, because they were moderately impaired, they were more likely to recover.
This study reinforces how intricately connected our minds and bodies are, and provides another reason to seek deeper knowledge about ourselves and take care of our mental health. This is a topic that will, without a doubt, encourage further research and discussion in the near future, pointing the way to a longer, healthier life.
