University of Limerick research reveals personality traits are powerful predictors of risk of death

A MAJOR new study from University of Limerick analysing almost six million person-years of data has revealed that personality traits are linked to longevity and risk of death.

The research highlights that personality is likely associated with risk of death through an influence on a range of health behaviours and biological processes which play a role in long-term health.

Recently published in the prestigious Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, the review compiled a vast body of evidence from an extensive range of longitudinal studies across four continents.

Five personality traits were analysed as part of the study which included data from 569,859 people, representing 5,997,667 person-years and 43,851 deaths. Associations with the mortality risk of neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness traits were all explored.

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Among the key findings were:

In adults, higher neuroticism, characterised by feelings of anxiety, worry and emotional instability, was associated with an increased risk of earlier death.

Higher conscientiousness, which is a tendency to be organised and self-disciplined, was linked to a reduced risk of death. 

Extraversion, which is a preference for social engagement and activity, was linked to a reduced risk of death. 

Age was an important factor in the link between neuroticism and risk of death, with stronger effects found in younger ages. 

The association between extraversion and risk of death was particularly evident in the United States and Australia, compared to other countries. The researchers suggest several potential reasons for these differences, which include that being more extroverted may have beneficial health outcomes in some countries and not in others. 

Most studies found weak or no association between openness and agreeableness and health outcomes.

Dr Máire McGeehan, Assistant Professor in UL’s Department of Psychology and researcher in UL’s Health Research Institute (HRI), led the study as an Irish Research Council-funded doctoral scholar.

She explained: “This review brings together decades of longitudinal research and clearly highlights the critical role that personality plays in longevity. Our work shows that how we think, feel and behave is not only linked to life satisfaction and social relationships, but also to how long we live.”

“Personality is a critical driver of health and longevity. It is important to emphasise that these effects are similar in size to those of commonly considered public health determinants, such as socio-economic status,” added Dr McGeehan.

Senior author and principal investigator Dr Páraic S Ó’Súilleabháin, Associate Professor in UL’s Department of Psychology, said: “This truly is a groundbreaking piece of research that will drive a vast range of future research into how our tendencies to think, act, and feel, are related to how long we live.”

“This study builds on other research from our group indicating that personality is critically important to health across the lifespan,” stated Dr Ó’Súilleabháin.

This work was carried out in collaboration with researchers from the University of Limerick, Florida State University, West Virginia University, and Northwestern University.