Certain personality traits prevent cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Others, on the contrary, increase the probability. A conclusion of the study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Measuring cognitive impairment
According to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, some personality traits prevent cognitive impairment. Canadian researchers analyzed the personalities of nearly 2,000 people.
Are you organized…
The additional points scored on a consciousness scale are thus “associated with a 22% reduction in the risk of going from normal cognitive functioning to mild cognitive impairment”, specifies Tomiko Yoneda. He is part of the University of Victoria in Canada, lead author of the study. “People who score high on conscientiousness tend to be responsible, organized, hardworking and goal oriented“, he explains. Thus, these people “may be less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment as they age».
Or rather anxious?
On the other hand, participants who obtain a high anxiety score have low emotional stability and tend to mood swings, depression, self-doubt, and other negative feelings. They are then “more likely to experiencing cognitive decline“, underlines the study.
Two years gained
«For example, on estimate that 80-year-old participants whose consciousness is high live almost two more years without cognitive impairment than people whose conscience is weak”, judge the authors of this study.