Characteristics help predict health status

In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Social Psychological and Personality Science), American scientists have shown a strong connection between a person's personality trait and health status of that person in the future.

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In this long-term study, the team used the medical data of 6,904 US citizens with an average age of 68 years and had health checks conducted in the last 2 years. Through a questionnaire that examines the personality characteristics of participants, the researchers evaluated the personality of volunteers based on the "Big Five" Personality Scale (OCEAN) - including 5 Outstanding personality traits are extroverted (Extroversion), pleasant (Agreeableness), thoughtful (Conscientiousness), open (Openness) and psychological instability (Neuroticism).

To give the final score, the team produced a list of adjectives that describe personality (such as "comfort", "dominate", "friendly", "complex" . ), then ask participants to assess their personalities. Based on the participants' responses, they are evaluated on a scale of 1 to 4 for each personality on the Big Five scale. After 4 years, the team contacted volunteers to determine if they were diagnosed with any of the listed diseases.

The results showed that people with very attentive, outgoing, open, pleasant and unstable psychology had better health status than those with other personality traits. On the other hand, people who are judged to have high levels of unstable psychology (people who are anxious, or who cause trouble, mood swings and are always sad) have a higher rate of being diagnosed with a disease.

Here are the differences in the health status of each individual group that researchers noted:

Thoughtful people

Characteristics: A person who is very diligent to work, reliable, responsible and able to control his impulse. They like everything carefully planned and always want to achieve their goals.

The team of thoughtful people detection can prevent the cause of disease. When the scale of thoughtfulness (1-4) increased by one point, this group in turn reduced 37% of the risk of stroke, 27% had high blood pressure, 23% had arthritis and 20% had diabetes. Street.

According to the research team, it may be because those who are thoughtful often have healthy behaviors, such as adopting a healthy diet and exercise - 2 important factors that help prevent many diseases like stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Open people

Characteristics: Being curious, imaginative, like new ideas and interested in many areas.

According to the study, when the scale of openness increased by one point, those in this group in turn reduced the risk of stroke by 31%, the likelihood of having heart disease, 29% of the risk of hypertension and 21% of the risk. arthritis. The team thinks that open-minded people are more likely to come up with ways to reduce stress and can improve their health by knowing how to tell their doctor their problems.

Extroverts

Characteristics: Being a person with optimistic attitude, self-assertion, speaking a lot, easy to approach and like to be the focus of the crowd.

When the scale of extrovert personality is increased by one point, this group reduces 26% of the risk of developing high blood pressure.

Nice person

Characteristics: A person who is always willing to compromise, be kind, generous, like to help others, easy to trust and trustworthy.

Researchers noted that a 1-point increase in pleasant personality means that people with this personality decreased 21% of their risk of developing arthritis. The hypothesis is that owning good social relationships has helped them fight disease.

People have psychological instability

Characteristics: People who are sensitive and nervous, often show anger, anxiety or depression.

According to experts, for every point in the scale of increased psychological instability, this group increased by 24% of the risk of heart disease, 29% with lung disease, 37% with high blood pressure and 25% with arthritis.

While personality traits cannot help predict the likelihood of developing cancer - the leading cause of death in the world, Professor Joshua Jackson of the University of Washington commented on the findings. The reason is that it helps confirm that personality traits can help predict a person's health status and indicate a link to future serious diseases. As a result, doctors can use the results of a patient's personality assessment to give advice to help them adjust to the right lifestyle to prevent disease later.