OUR personality can predictour state of health. Until now, studies were content to associate behaviors with data as broad as well-being, mortality or disability. But none were able to say whether personality affected health or, on the contrary, whether it was illness that changed the person’s personality and perception.
Based on this observation, Josh Jackson, professor at the University of Washington in Saint Louis (United States), conducted a study aimed at observing the close link between personality and the development of certain diseases.
7,000 American adults were followed from the 1930s to the 1990s. Their personality as well as their state of health was assessed through various questionnaires.
Neurotics more at risk of diseases
It emerged that certain character traits clearly influence health and the risk of having a particular disease. For example, “open-mindedness and conscientiousness have proven to be protective factors”, summarizes the author of the study. Mean by conscientious, people who can be counted on and able to control their impulses.
Open-mindedness was defined as an ability to be open to new ideas.
Study participants classified in these two categories were less likely to suffer from arthritis, heart attack, heart disease or hypertension. This correlation could be explained by a healthier lifestyle among those concerned: less alcohol and drugs, more physical exercise, better nutrition.
Conversely, neurotic people tended to have more health problems related to chronic stress, the study adds. But the chronic stress weakens the immune systemmaking it more vulnerable to certain diseases.
