Do Personality Traits Predict Cognitive Decline?
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Extraverts and individuals who are disciplined are less likely to experience cognitive decline later in life, whereas those with neuroticism have an increased risk for cognitive dysfunction, new research shows. Investigators analyzed data from almost 2000 individuals enrolled in the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP) — a longitudinal study of older adults living in the greater Chicago metropolitan region and northeastern Illinois — with recruitment that began in 1997 and continues through today. Participants received a personality assessment as well as annual assessments of their cognitive abilities. Those with high scores on measures of conscientiousness were significantly less likely to progress from normal cognition to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) during the study. In fact, scoring an extra 1 standard deviation on the conscientiousness scale was associated with a 22% lower risk of transitioning from no cognitive impairment (NCI) to MCI. On the other hand, scoring an additional 1 SD on a neuroticism scale was associated with a 12% increased risk of transitioning to MCI.
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@kevin The authors note that the study focused on only three of the Big Five personality traits, while the other 2 — openness to experience and agreeableness — may also be associated with cognitive aging processes and mortality. Nevertheless, given the current results, alongside extensive research in the personality field, aiming to increase conscientiousness through persistent behavioral change is one potential strategy for promoting healthy cognitive aging