Does having a positive personality reduce dementia risk?
In a recent study summary, published by the Alzheimer’s Association journal called Alzheimer’s and Dementia, the research suggested that an individual’s personality and outlook on life may affect the risk of being diagnosed with dementia. Individuals with the lowest risk tend to be creative, curious and agreeable. Those with increased risk tend to be anxious, depressed and frequently experience distressing or negative emotions.
The researchers studied psychological test results of the participants, whether an individual was diagnosed with dementia, and also took results from neuropathological data, such as autopsies that examine nerve and brain tissue for signs of dementia.
Personality traits of participants were examined using the “big five” traits, according to Psychology Today: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. Researchers found that high scores on neuroticism were linked to an increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia. Additionally, the research showed that individuals with high scores for openness to experience and agreeableness were less likely to be diagnosed with dementia. Further, researchers looked for links with a second type of psychological trait known as “subjective well-being.” These traits included self-reported measures that indicate how individuals experience and evaluate their own lives. These measures were life satisfaction, (thinking that life is going well), positive affect (experiencing positive emotions and moods), and negative affect (experiencing unpleasant and distressing emotions and moods).
While researchers found an association between personality traits and risk of diagnoses of dementia, a clear link was not found between personality and evidence of underlying disease. Thus, while the study suggests that the two may be correlated, researchers still don’t know if personality type is a direct cause of dementia.
The study can be used as a learning opportunity that promotes certain lifestyle modifications that can help decrease dementia risk. Healthy lifestyle habits include exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, monitoring your heart health, keeping socially connected, engaging in mentally stimulating activities, and getting enough sleep — all of which require effort and discipline.
By engaging in brain-healthy behaviors as early as possible, an individual can keep protective factors in place. Though there is no guarantee by following these lifestyle modifications that the individual will not develop dementia, they would be in a better position if they were later diagnosed with this condition.