Personality and smoking: individual-participant meta-analysis of nine cohort studies

Association of neuroticism with incident dementia, neuroimaging outcomes, and cognitive function

INTRODUCTION

Higher neuroticism might be associated with dementia risk. Here we investigated modification by genetic predisposition to dementia, mediation by mental health and vascular conditions, neuroimaging outcomes, and cognitive function.

METHODS

Cox proportional-hazards models were used to assess the association between neuroticism score and incident dementia over up to 15 years in 1,74,164 participants. Cross-sectional analyses on dementia-related neuroimaging outcomes and cognitive function were conducted in 39,459 dementia-free participants.

RESULTS

Higher neuroticism was associated with an 11% higher risk of incident dementia, especially vascular dementia (15% higher risk), regardless of genetic predisposition to dementia. Mental and vascular conditions mediated the association of neuroticism with all-cause dementia and vascular dementia. Neuroticism was associated with higher cerebrovascular pathology, lower gray matter volume, and worse function across multiple cognitive domains.

DISCUSSION

Neuroticism could represent a risk factor for dementia, and vascular and mental health might drive these associations.

HIGHLIGHTS

Neuroticism was associated with an increased risk of incident all-cause dementia, particularly vascular dementia. Associations were not modified by genetic predisposition to dementia. Associations were largely mediated by mental and vascular conditions. Neuroticism was associated with increased cerebrovascular pathology and lower gray matter volume. Neuroticism was associated with worse function across multiple cognitive domains.

Hit me with your best puff: Personality predicts preference for cigar vs. cigarette smoking

In this study, we examine the association between Big Five personality traits and cigar or cigarette smoking in a sample of 9,918 older adults across 11 European countries derived from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) dataset. We find significant associations between several traits and smoking groups. Smoking was associated with lower scores on Conscientiousness and Agreeableness and higher Extraversion scores. In addition, cigar smokers exhibit lower Neuroticism and higher Openness compared to both cigarette smokers and non-smokers. These findings suggest that both personality traits are antecedents of smoking behavior, offering implications for targeted public health interventions and social policies aimed at combating the global tobacco epidemic.

Psychological predictors of vaping uptake among non-smokers: A longitudinal investigation of New Zealand adults

INTRODUCTION

Demographic and health factors are known to predict vaping. Less is known about psychological predictors of vaping uptake, particularly among non-smoking adults using longitudinal designs. We aimed to model how psychological factors related to personality and mental health predicted the likelihood of vaping uptake over time in non-smoking adults ages 18+ using longitudinal data.

METHODS

Longitudinal regression models utilised data from the 2018-2020 waves of the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study to assess how the Big Five personality traits, mental distress and self-control predicted who began vaping over time among non-users (non-vapers and non-smokers), controlling for gender, age, ethnicity and economic deprivation.

RESULTS

Analyses included 36,309 adults overall (ages 18 to 99; M = 51.0). The number of non-users who transitioned into current vaping was small (transitioned from 2018 to 2019, n = 147; 0.48%; 2019 to 2020, n = 189, 0.63%). Fully adjusted models showed that adults with higher mental distress (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.88), lower self-control (aOR 0.79; 95% CI 0.69-0.89) and higher extraversion (aOR 1.09; 95% CI 1.06-1.13) were more likely to begin vaping at the next time point compared to adults who remained non-users. Higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness also predicted vaping uptake in initial models, but inclusion of mental distress and self-control superseded these traits.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Psychological factors related to mental distress, impulse control and sociability predicted who was more likely to begin vaping as non-smoking adults. Harm prevention interventions could target these factors to reduce vaping uptake in non-smokers.

Understanding COVID-19-Related Behaviors, Worries, and Attitudes among Chinese: Roles of Personality and Severity

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people exhibited various forms of adjustments. This study examines how situational factors (i.e., the severity of COVID-19) and individual differences (i.e., the HEXACO traits) affect one's COVID-19-related responses regarding behaviors (i.e., mask-wearing and hoarding), worries (i.e., worrying about infecting and spreading COVID-19), and attitudes (i.e., discrimination and empathy toward people infecting COVID-19) in China. With a sample of 927 participants, our results show that the severity of COVID-19 was predictive of all the responses, and its predictive value was more pronounced relative to personality traits. Concerning the association between personality traits and responses, Honesty-Humility and Conscientiousness were predictive of one's behaviors, Emotionality was predictive of one's worries, and almost all the HEXACO traits were associated with one's attitudes toward people infected with COVID-19. This study sheds some light on understanding how situations and individual differences shape one's responses in a time of emergency.

Correlation between socio-demographic characteristics, metabolic control factors and personality traits with self-perceived health status in patients with diabetes: A cross-sectional study

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the relationship between metabolic control factors, socio-demographic characteristics, personality traits, and self-perceived health status in diabetes.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 318 patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes (DM). Participants completed a questionnaire-based survey, which included the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised to measure five personality dimensions and the SF-12 survey to assess self-perceived health status. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the data, with socio-demographic characteristics, clinical data, and nutrition status as independent variables, and self-perceived health status (categorized as poor or good condition) as the dependent variable. Unadjusted and adjusted binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between personality traits (high vs. low) and metabolic control factors (good control vs. bad control) with health status scores.

Results

60.7% of the participants with diabetes in the study described their health as "good." The results indicated that female gender (OR: 0.314, 95%CI: 0.105-0.938, P = 0.038), age > 60 years (OR: 0.263, 95%CI: 0.117-0.592, P = 0.001), comorbidities (OR: 0.314, 95%CI: 0.178-0.556, P = 0.001), DM complications (OR: 0.531, 95%CI: 0.337-0.838, P = 0.007), diabetic neuropathy (OR: 0.562, 95%CI: 0.356-0.886, P = 0.013), and diabetic ulcer (OR: 0.130, 95%CI: 0.023-0.747, P = 0.022) were independent variables associated with a "poor" health status. However, regular physical activity (OR: 3.144, 95%CI: 1.209-8.175, P = 0.019) and a healthy nutritional diet (OR: 2.456, 95%CI: 1.421-4.245, P < 0.001) were associated with a higher likelihood of a "good" self-perceived health status.

Conclusion

Preventive programs and interventions aimed at improving self-perceived health among patients with diabetes should focus on increasing regular physical activity and promoting a healthy nutritional status. These actions should be particularly targeted towards female and older patients with higher neuroticism traits.

Personality nuances and risk of dementia: Evidence from two longitudinal studies

Personality traits are broad constructs composed of nuances, operationalized by personality items, that can provide a more granular understanding of personality associations with health outcomes. This study examined the associations between personality nuances and incident dementia and evaluated whether nuances associations replicate across two samples. Health and Retirement Study (HRS, N = 11,400) participants were assessed in 2006/2008, and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA, N = 7453) participants were assessed in 2010/2011 on personality and covariates. Dementia incidence was tracked for 14 years in the HRS and 8 years in ELSA. In both HRS and ELSA, higher neuroticism domain and nuances (particularly nervous and worry) were related to a higher risk of incident dementia, whereas higher conscientiousness domain and nuances (particularly responsibility and organization) were associated with a lower risk of dementia. To a lesser extent, higher extraversion (active), openness (broad-minded, curious, and imaginative), and agreeableness (helpful, warm, caring, and sympathetic) nuances were associated with a lower risk of dementia, with replicable effects across the two samples. A poly-nuance score, aggregating the effects of personality items, was associated with an increased risk of incident dementia in the HRS and ELSA, with effect sizes slightly stronger than those of the personality domains. Clinical, behavioral, psychological, and genetic covariates partially accounted for these associations. The present study provides novel and replicable evidence for specific personality characteristics associated with the risk of incident dementia.

Messaging about very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs) to influence policy attitudes, harm perceptions and smoking motivations: a discrete choice experiment

BACKGROUND

To reduce smoking and the harms it causes, countries, including the USA, are considering policies to reduce nicotine in combustible tobacco to minimally addictive levels. Effective messages about very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs) and this policy are crucial in combating misperceptions threatening the policy's effectiveness.

DATA AND METHODS

A discrete choice experiment assessed messages about VLNCs. Participants were 590 adults who smoked exclusively, 379 adults who both smoked and used e-cigarettes, 443 adults who formerly smoked and 351 young adults who never smoked (total n=1763). Seven message attributes were varied systematically (source, harm, chemicals, nicotine, satisfaction, addictiveness and quitting efficacy). Outcomes were selection of messages that generated the most positive attitude towards reduced nicotine policy, the greatest perceived harmfulness of VLNCs, and most strongly motivated quitting and initiating behaviour for VLNCs.

RESULTS

Information about specific harms and chemicals of VLNCs had the largest effects on selection of messages as eliciting more negative attitudes towards VLNCs policy, increasing perceived VLNC harmfulness, increasing motivation to quit VLNCs and decreasing motivation to try VLNCs. Messages with information about quitting efficacy were selected as more motivating to quit among those who smoke, but also more motivating to try VLNCs among those who do not smoke.

CONCLUSION

Harm and chemical information can be prioritised to ensure VLNCs are not misperceived as less harmful than regular cigarettes. Messages about increased quitting efficacy and reduced addictiveness associated with VLNCs may backfire if presented to those who do not smoke.

Personality and cognitive errors in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study

This study examines the association between personality and cognitive errors in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study, a sample diverse across race (Black, White) and SES (above, below 125% of the federal poverty line). Participants (N=1,062) completed a comprehensive personality questionnaire and were administered a brief mental status screener of cognitive errors. Higher neuroticism was associated with more cognitive errors, whereas higher openness and conscientiousness were associated with fewer errors. These associations were independent of age, sex, race, poverty status, and education and were generally not moderated by these factors. These findings support the associations between personality and cognition across race and SES.

Personality traits and the risk of urinary incontinence: Evidence from three longitudinal samples

OBJECTIVE

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition with a substantial negative impact on older adults' quality of life. This study examines whether individual differences in behavioral, cognitive, and emotional traits assessed by the five major dimensions of personality are related to the risk of concurrent and incident UI.

METHODS

Participants were older women and men (N > 26,000) from the Midlife in the United States Survey, the Health and Retirement Study, and the English Longitudinal Study of Aging. In each cohort, personality traits (measured with the Midlife Development Inventory) and demographic (age, sex, education, and race), clinical (body mass index, diabetes, blood pressure), and behavioral (smoking) factors were assessed at baseline. UI was assessed at baseline and again 8-20 years later. Results for each cohort were combined in random-effect meta-analyses.

RESULTS

Consistently across cohorts, higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness were related to a higher risk of concurrent and incident UI. To a lesser extent, extraversion, openness, and agreeableness were also related to lower risk of concurrent and incident UI. BMI, diabetes, blood pressure, and smoking partially accounted for these associations. There was little evidence that age or sex moderated the associations.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides novel, robust, and replicable evidence linking personality traits to UI. The higher vulnerability for UI for individuals who score higher on neuroticism and lower on conscientiousness is consistent with findings for other multifactorial geriatric syndromes. Personality traits can help identify individuals at risk and may help contextualize the clinical presentation of comorbid emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms.

The association between smoking and family health with the mediation role of personality among Chinese people: nationwide cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

There may be unexplored interactions between family health, personality, and smoking that could help provide new perspectives on tobacco control.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between the health of one's family and their smoking habits, as well as investigate the potential influence of personality on this relationship.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional investigation, a national survey conducted in China in 2022 recruited a total of 21,916 individuals. The Family Health Scale was utilized to assess the health of the family. The 10-item Big Five Inventory scale was utilized to assess the Big five personality traits. The relationship between big five personality, family health, and smoking were investigated using binary and linear logistic regression. The indirect effects mediated by Big five personality were analyzed using mediation analysis with Sobel tests, and the indirect effects were composited using the Karlson-Holm-Breen method.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of smoking in the study population was 14.87%, 26.19% for males and 3.54% for females. Urban and rural smoking prevalence was 13.81% and 16.10% respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between smoking and family health (odds ratio 0.964, 95% CI 0.959, 0.970, P < 0.001) with covariates controlled. The Karlson-Holm-Breen composition facilitated the connection between extraversion (47.81%) and nervousness (52.19%).

CONCLUSIONS

Preventive interventions for smoking behavior should prioritize family health and the Big five personality as significant areas to focus on. According to this study, in addition to implementing various interventions for different personalities, family health should be strengthened to reduce smoking behavior.

Stability in health behavior patterns in middle adulthood: a 19-year follow-up study

Objective: This study investigated subgroups of adults with particular health behavior patterns, their stability over 19 years, and the role of sociodemographic and personality characteristics in these.

Methods and Measures: Data on smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity were collected at ages 42, 50, and 61 in the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development (n = 205-302). Latent class, latent transition, and logistic regression analyses were used.

Results: Four similar classes of health behaviors were identified at each age. A class named low alcohol consumption (AC)-high physical activity (PA) included individuals with the lowest levels of alcohol consumption and the highest levels of physical activity, and a class named high AC-low PA vice versa. Classes between these extremes of alcohol consumption and physical activity levels were nonsmokers with the lowest proportion of smokers, and smokers vice versa. Although transitions emerged, class memberships were relatively stable. Women, those who were married, held a degree, had higher occupational status, and certain personality traits at age 42 were more likely to belong continuously to healthier classes compared to a stable membership in high AC-low PA.

Conclusion: Health behaviors exist in patterns, are relatively stable across adulthood, and associated with sociodemographic and personality characteristics.

Personality traits and high cigarette dependence among university students: Insights from Lebanon

PURPOSE

The use of tobacco and cigarette products remains widespread globally, with varying patterns across countries. Understanding the factors influencing cigarette dependence among young adults is crucial for effective smoking prevention and control programs. Personality traits are one of the factors that influence smoking behaviour, yet the evidence on their role in high cigarette dependence among young adults remains inconclusive. This study aims to provide insights and initial evidence on the potential association between personality dimensions, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and high cigarette dependence among Lebanese university students.

METHODS

A convenient sample of 212 student smokers from one private and one public university in Lebanon participated in an online survey. The survey included measures of personality traits using the Big-Five framework, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and the Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD). Logistic regression models and mediation analysis were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The results revealed significant associations between personality dimensions and high cigarette dependence among Lebanese university students. Smokers with higher levels of Openness to Experience were more likely to have high cigarette dependence (β = 0.408, p < = 0.015). Conversely, smokers with higher levels of Conscientiousness (β = -0.500, p < 0.001) and Agreeableness (β = -0.491, p < 0.01) were less likely to have high cigarette dependence. Additionally, attending a public university (β = 1.198, p = 0.018), having more close friends who smoke (β = 0.525, p < 0.01), and switching to a cheaper cigarette brand (β = 0.928, p < 0.05) were associated with a higher cigarette dependence.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the importance of considering personality dimensions, sociodemographic factors, and lifestyle habits in understanding high cigarette dependence among Lebanese university students. The results can inform the development of targeted interventions to address high cigarette dependence in this population.

Personality and Cognition: The Mediating Role of Inflammatory Markers

OBJECTIVES

Five-Factor Model personality traits are associated consistently with cognition. Inflammation has been hypothesized as a biological pathway in this association, but this assumption has yet to be tested. The present study tested inflammatory markers as mediators between personality traits and cognition.

METHODS

Participants were from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; N = 4,364; 60% women; mean age = 64.48 years, standard deviation = 8.79). Personality traits and demographic factors were assessed in 2010/2012. Data on inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], soluble tumor necrosis factor 1 (sTNFR1), interleukin-10 [IL-10], interleukin-1 receptor antagonist [IL-1Ra], and transforming growth factor [TGF]-β1) were obtained in 2016 from the HRS Venuous Blood Study. Cognition was assessed in 2020 using the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status.

RESULTS

Higher neuroticism was related to lower cognition at follow-up, whereas higher extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were associated with better cognition. Higher extraversion and higher conscientiousness were related to lower hsCRP, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1Ra, and sTNFR1, and higher openness was associated with lower IL-10, IL-1Ra, and sTNFR1 and to higher soluble TGF-β1. Lower sTNFR1 partially mediated the associations between conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness and cognition at follow-up, explaining an estimated 4%-12% of these associations. The mediating role of sTNFR1 persisted when physical activity and depressive symptoms were included as additional mediators.

DISCUSSION

The present study provides new evidence on personality and inflammatory markers. Consistent with the inflammation hypothesis, the sTNFR1 finding supports a potential biological pathway between personality and cognition.

Association Between Optimism and Incident Stroke Among Stroke Survivors: Findings From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

BACKGROUND

Personality has been implicated in stroke death. However, the role of personality in stroke incidence is unclear.

PURPOSE

Our primary aim was to investigate associations between optimism, determination, control, and the "Big Five" personality traits on incident stroke. A secondary aim was to assess the potential mediating role of health behaviors in the personality-stroke relationship.

METHODS

A total of 3,703 stroke-free participants from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing provided data on personality using the Midlife Development Inventory at Wave 5 (2010/11). Self-reported incident stroke was assessed from Waves 6 to 8 (2012-2017). Associations were modeled using discrete-time survival proportional odds logistic models. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, history of other cardiometabolic diseases, and health behaviors.

RESULTS

Over 6 years follow-up there were 125 incident strokes. Higher optimism (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53, 0.82), openness (HR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.53, 0.98), and conscientiousness (HR = 0.59; 95% CI 0.42, 0.84) were associated with reduced incident stroke risk in unadjusted models. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors and history of cardiometabolic disease, only the association between optimism and incident stroke remained significant (HR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.57, 0.92). The effect of optimism remained significant in a final model adjusting for health behaviors (HR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.60, 0.96). There was evidence of a small but significant mediating effect of physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher trait optimism was associated with reduced stroke risk. This association was partially mediated by physical activity albeit the effect was small, and caution warranted inferring causality. The interplay of personality, behavior, and clinical risk factors in stroke incidence and survivorship needs further investigation.

Association between personality traits and smoking cessation among Chinese adults

BACKGROUND

Although the tobacco epidemic is one of the greatest public health threats, the smoking cessation rate among Chinese adults is considerably lower. Personality information may indicate which treatments or interventions are more likely to be effective. China is the largest producer and consumer of tobacco worldwide. However, little is known about the association between smoking cessation and personality traits in China.

AIM

This study aimed to examine the association between successful smoking cessation and personality traits among Chinese adults.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies. Probit regression models were employed to analyze the association between successful smoking cessation and personality traits stratified by sex.

RESULTS

Lower scores for neuroticism (Coef.=-0.055, p < 0.1), lower scores for extraversion (Coef.=-0.077, p < 0.05), and higher scores for openness to experience (Coef.=0.045, p < 0.1) predicted being a successful male quitter after adjusting for demographics. Moreover, lower scores for conscientiousness (Coef.=-0.150, p < 0.1) predicted being a successful female quitter after adjusting for demographics.

CONCLUSION

The empirical findings suggested that among Chinese men, lower levels of neuroticism, lower levels of extraversion, and higher levels of openness to experience were associated with a higher likelihood of smoking cessation. Moreover, lower levels of conscientiousness were associated with successful smoking cessation among Chinese women. These results showed that personality information should be included in smoking cessation interventions.

Smoked tobacco dependence and its correlates among participants attending life skills training and counselling services programme across Karnataka (2017-2022)

Introduction

Indian National Mental Health Survey reports an alarming prevalence of 20.9% for tobacco dependence in India. Dependence on smoked tobacco can be prevented by thorough knowledge of the risk factors associated with it.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence and identify the factors associated with smoked tobacco dependence among participants attending the life skills training and counselling services programme (LSTCSP) across Karnataka from 2017 to 2022.

Materials and Methods

Pretraining data of 3104 participants from training programmes between 2017 and 2022 were utilised. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed based on a conceptual framework with various hypothesised exposure variables and smoked tobacco dependence as outcome.

Results

The overall prevalence of smoked tobacco dependence among LSTCSP participants who used smoked tobacco products was 59.4%. Ever use of smokeless tobacco products (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =2.05, 95% CI: 1.11-3.78) and screening positive for symptoms of generalised anxiety (AOR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.32-4.84) significantly increased the odds of smoked tobacco dependence, whereas making decisions collectively in the family (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.18-0.66) and individuals with increased score for neurotic personality traits (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.44-0.93) were the factors associated with reduced odds of smoked tobacco dependence.

Conclusion

The identified risk factors associated with smoked tobacco dependence are important to develop tobacco control programmes as well as in preventing its onset. With the risk factors for smoked tobacco dependence identified, the results of this study have implications for health promotion and prevention programmes as well as cessation programmes related to smoked tobacco dependence, within India and similar countries.

Personality traits and the risk of sensory impairment: Evidence from the National Health and Aging Trends Study

OBJECTIVE

Sensory impairment has pervasive effects on older individuals' quality of life and health. Although recent research found an association between personality traits and the risk of hearing and vision impairment, data on older adults is limited, and no study has examined dual-sensory impairment. Therefore, the present study examined the prospective relationship between personality traits and risk of hearing, vision, and dual sensory impairment among older adults.

METHOD

Participants were older adults aged 67 to 94 years (N = 829) from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). Personality traits, demographic, clinical (body mass index, diabetes, and high blood pressure), and behavioral (smoking and physical activity) factors were assessed in 2013/2014. Objective measures of hearing and vision were obtained in 2021.

RESULTS

Controlling for demographic factors, higher conscientiousness was associated with a lower risk of hearing (OR: 0.81; 95%CI: 0.67-0.97, p = .022), vision (OR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.71-0.97, p = .022) and dual sensory impairment (OR: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.56-0.86, p < .001). Higher openness (OR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.68-0.97, p = .023) and neuroticism (OR: 0.74, 95%CI: 0.62-0.88, p < .001) were associated with a lower risk of hearing impairment. Clinical and behavioral covariates partially accounted for these associations.

CONCLUSION

Consistent with other age-related health and cognitive outcomes, conscientiousness may be protective against sensory impairment. Surprisingly, neuroticism had a protective effect for hearing, but not vision. The findings provide novel evidence for an association between personality and sensory impairment among older adults.

Neuroticism and white matter hyperintensities

Neuroticism is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This study investigates whether neuroticism is associated with white matter hyperintensities and whether this measure of brain integrity is a mediator between neuroticism and cognitive function. Middle-aged and older adults from the UK Biobank (N = 40,602; aged 45-82 years, M = 63.97, SD = 7.66) provided information on demographic and health covariates, completed measures of neuroticism and cognition, and underwent magnetic resonance imaging from which the volume of white matter hyperintensities was derived. Regression analyses that included age and sex as covariates found that participants who scored higher on neuroticism had more white matter hyperintensities (β = 0.024, 95% CI 0.015 to 0.032; p < .001), an association that was consistent across peri-ventricular and deep brain regions. The association was reduced by about 40% when accounting for vascular risk factors (smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, angina, and stroke). The association was not moderated by age, sex, college education, deprivation index, or APOE e4 genotype, and remained unchanged in sensitivity analyses that excluded individuals with dementia or those younger than 65. The mediation analysis revealed that white matter hyperintensities partly mediated the association between neuroticism and cognitive function. These findings identify white matter integrity as a potential neurobiological pathway that accounts for a small proportion of the association between neuroticism and cognitive health.

Can the Big Five personality traits predict ever chance and 7-year risk of clinically diagnosed chronic bronchitis in middle-aged and older adults?

OBJECTIVE

Chronic bronchitis refers to a chronic condition that is characterized by long-term inflammation of the bronchi. It is of great importance to understand the contributing risk factors for chronic bronchitis because it is associated with adverse outcomes such as healthcare burden and mortality. We aimed to understand if the personality traits could predict ever and the 7-year risk of clinically diagnosed chronic bronchitis in a large cohort of participants from the UK.

METHODS

We analyzed data from Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study, which consists of 15,387 middle-aged or older participants for the cross-sectional analysis and 8783 middle-aged or older adults for the longitudinal analysis using two binary logistic regressions.

RESULTS

We found that Neuroticism (OR = 1.36, p < 0.001, 95% C.I. [1.23, 1.51]), Conscientiousness (OR = 0.87, p = 0.014, 95% C.I. [0.78, 0.97]), and Extraversion (OR = 1.15, p = 0.009, 95% C.I. [1.04, 1.29]) are related to a higher chance of ever clinically diagnosed chronic bronchitis. However, Agreeableness and Openness were not related to the chance of ever clinically diagnosed chronic bronchitis. Moreover, Conscientiousness (OR = 0.72, p = 0.012, 95% C.I. [0.55, 0.93]) was related to a lower risk of future clinical diagnosis of chronic bronchitis whereas Extraversion (OR = 1.35, p = 0.024, 95% C.I. [1.04, 1.76]) was associated with a higher risk of future chronic bronchitis. However, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, and Openness were not related to change of ever clinically diagnosed chronic bronchitis.

CONCLUSION

We showed that personality can identify people who are at greater risk of chronic bronchitis, which has translational utility for healthcare of middle-aged and older adults.

A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Use of Tobacco, Attempts on Cessation, and Locus of Control Among College Students

Background Socio-cultural considerations (such as drug availability) and psychological traits play a significant role in predicting whether a person will use drugs in the future and dependency on the drugs. Second-, third-, and fourth-hand smoking and E-cigarettes are influencing factors for the use of tobacco in college students. This study conducted research to ascertain whether there is a potential relationship between tobacco consumption and various factors, including internal and external control sites and demographics. Materials and methods Participants in the study were found by walk-up distribution at multiple campus-wide smoking places, department announcements, and on-campus advertisements. Social media and participant references were also used in this study as recruitment tools. In addition, the locus of control questionnaire also identifies if the participating individual had extrinsic or intrinsic reinforcing routines. The classification of the participating individuals into respective internal and external locus of control was in accordance with their response survey after which a statistical analysis was done. Results This study found an association between smoking on campus and reported attempts to quit. Additionally, there is a strong association (r(85) = 0.31, p < 0.01) between reported tobacco use status and cigarette use on campus. Participants' gender and smoking status also had r(85) = 0.39, p-value < 0.01 correlation. The bulk of respondents indicated that they were seniors and off-campus living concluding for 36% (n = 34) and 60% (n = 51) of the total. Twenty-seven percent (n = 24) of the respondents were first-year college students and the rest 33% (n = 29) said their parents had no college education at all or incomplete college education. Conclusion Whenever there is a strong perception of organizational support for anti-tobacco policies, and improving compliance, there is a drastic increase in cigarette cessation and a drop in tobacco usage among those who still smoke. Perceived organizational support is strongly and positively connected with cessation among the organization's members.

Personality and Risk of Incident Stroke in 6 Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND

A large literature has examined a broad range of factors associated with increased risk of stroke. Few studies, however, have examined the association between personality and stroke. The present study adopted a systematic approach using a multi-cohort design to examine the associations between 5-Factor Model personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) and incident stroke using data from 6 large longitudinal samples of adults.

METHODS

Participants (age range: 16-104 years old, N=58 105) were from the MIDUS (Midlife in the United States) Study, the HRS (Health and Retirement Study), The US (Understanding Society) study, the WLS (Wisconsin Longitudinal Study), the NHATS (National Health and Aging Trends Study), and the LISS (Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences). Personality traits, demographic factors, clinical and behavioral risk factors were assessed at baseline; stroke incidence was tracked over 7 to 20 years follow-up.

RESULTS

Meta-analyses indicated that higher neuroticism was related to a higher risk of incident stroke (hazard ratio, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.10-1.20]; P<0.001), whereas higher conscientiousness was protective (HR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.85-0.93]; P<0.001). Additional meta-analyses indicated that BMI, diabetes, blood pressure, physical inactivity, and smoking as additional covariates partially accounted for these associations. Extraversion, openness, and agreeableness were unrelated to stroke incidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar to other cardiovascular and neurological conditions, higher neuroticism is a risk factor for stroke incidence, whereas higher conscientiousness is a protective factor.

Diabetes Moderates the Link between Personality Traits and Self-Rated Health (SRH)

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this study is to explore the relationship between personality traits and self-rated health (SRH) in individuals with diabetes, while also comparing these associations with a group of healthy controls.

METHODS

The data for this study were obtained from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), comprising a sample of 1860 diabetes patients and 12,915 healthy controls who were matched in terms of age and sex. Hierarchical linear regression was utilized to analyze the data. The analysis included demographic variables such as age, sex, monthly income, highest educational qualification, marital status, and psychological distress assessed through the GHQ-12, personality traits, including Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Openness, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion, and diabetes status (0 for diabetes patients, 1 for healthy controls) as predictors. Interactions between personality traits and diabetes status were also included as predictors, with SRH serving as the dependent variable. Additionally, separate multiple regression analyses were conducted for diabetes patients and healthy controls, incorporating demographic variables, psychological distress, and personality traits as predictors, while SRH remained the dependent variable.

RESULTS

The findings of this study indicate that diabetes significantly moderates the association between Neuroticism and SRH. Specifically, both Neuroticism and Extraversion were negatively associated with SRH, whereas Openness and Conscientiousness exhibited a positive association with SRH in healthy controls. However, among diabetes patients, only Conscientiousness showed a positive association with SRH.

CONCLUSION

Personality traits predict SRH in people with and without diabetes differently. Healthcare professionals and clinicians should try to come up with ways that improve SRH and thus better outcomes in diabetes patients based on the findings from the current study.

Self-rated health (SRH) partially mediates and associations between personality traits and life satisfaction in older adults

It is established that personality traits contribute to life satisfaction but why they are connected are far less understood. This research report tested if self-rated health (SRH) which is one's subjective ratings of their health and has a high predictivity of actual health mediates the associations between the Big Five model of personality and life satisfaction in a cohort (N = 5,845) of older adults from the UK. By using Pearson's correlation analysis and mediation analysis, the current research reported positive correlations between Agreeableness, Openness, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion, SRH, and life satisfaction. However, Neuroticism was negatively correlated with SRH and life satisfaction. The main findings were that SRH partially mediates the associations between all traits in the Big Five and life satisfaction in older adults. This study began novel exploration on if SRH could explain the connections between the Big Five and life satisfaction. Results revealed SRH could partially explain these associations in all traits. These results may offer additional support to recently developed integrated account of life satisfaction, which argues that there are no single determinants of life satisfaction. Rather, life satisfaction is made up by many factors including but not limited to personality and health.

Health literacy across personality traits among older adults: cross-sectional evidence from Switzerland

This research aims to better understand the association of personality traits (PT)-Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism-with health literacy (HL) skills of adults aged 58 years and older in a nationally representative sample from Switzerland. Analyses were conducted on a subsample (n = 1546) of respondents living in Switzerland from wave 8 (2019/2020) of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). PT were assessed with the Big-Five inventory ten (BFI-10). HL was measured using the short version of the European Health Literacy Survey questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16). We used multivariable regressions to explore how respondents' PT are independently associated with (1) the HLS-EU-Q16 and (2) seven sub-indices derived from this HL scale. Results demonstrated that even when controlling for social, regional, and health characteristics, PT were significantly associated with HL among older adults in Switzerland. More open individuals showed better HL competencies. By contrast, individuals who scored higher on neuroticism expressed more difficulties regarding concrete health-relevant tasks or situations. These findings call for public health policies targeting older adults with lower levels of openness who are less likely to engage in self-examination, and individuals with higher levels of neuroticism who tend to experience more negative emotions. Moreover, health information and communication strategies content development that accounts for different personality types and addresses the needs of individuals with low levels of openness and high neuroticism may help improve HL among older adults whose personalities may otherwise put them at a disadvantage in handling health information.

Big Five personality predict epilepsy diagnosis in 7 years

Objective

Recently, there is growing interest in investigating how personality traits could predict a subsequent diagnosis of various diseases. Regarding epilepsy, there is only preliminary evidence based on cross-sectional studies linking personality traits to epilepsy, hence, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies. The aim of the current study is to assess if the Big Five personality traits can predict the risk of an epilepsy diagnosis.

Methods

The current study analyzed data from 17,789 participants who participated in Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) at Wave 3 (collected between 2011 and 2012) and Wave 10 (collected between 2018 and 2019). The mean age was 47.01 (SD = 16.31) years and were 42.62% male. Two binary logistic regressions were used by including age, monthly income, highest educational qualification, legal marital status, residence, and standardized personality traits scores at Wave 3 as predictors for a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy at Wave 10 for males and females, respectively.

Results

There were 175 participants (0.98%) with epilepsy and 17,614 participants (99.02%) without epilepsy at Wave 10. Results of the binary regression analyses revealed that Neuroticism is positively related to the risk of an epilepsy diagnosis in males (OR = 1.32, p = 0.04, 95% CI [1.01, 1.71]) but not in females 7  years after Wave 3 at Wave 10. However, other personality traits including Agreeableness, Openness, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion were not significant predictors of epilepsy diagnosis.

Conclusion

These findings suggested that personality traits might enhance our understanding of psychophysiological associations in epilepsy. Neuroticism might be a relevant factor that should be taken into account in epilepsy education and treatment. Moreover, sex differences must be taken into account.

Personality Traits Predict Self-Rated Health (SRH) in Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Patients and Healthy Controls

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study is to examine the association between Big Five personality traits and self-rated health (SRH) among individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD), and to compare this relationship with that of healthy control participants, which is of importance as SRH can be a determinant of outcomes.

METHODS

The current study used data from 566 participants with CHD with a mean age of 63.00 (S.D. = 15.23) years old (61.13% males) and 8608 age- and sex-matched healthy controls with a mean age of 63.87 (S.D.= 9.60) years old (61.93% males) from the UKHLS. The current study used predictive normative modelling approaches, one-sample t tests, a hierarchical regression, and two multiple regressions.

RESULTS

The current study found that CHD patients have significantly lower Conscientiousness (t(565) = -3.84, p < 0.001, 95% C.I. [-0.28, -0.09], Cohen's d = -0.16) and SRH (t(565) = -13.83, p < 0.001, 95% C.I. [-0.68, -0.51], and Cohen's d = -0.58) scores compared to age and sex-matched healthy controls. Moreover, health status (controls vs. CHD patients) moderated the links between Neuroticism, Extraversion and SRH. Specifically, Neuroticism (b = -0.03, p < 0.01, 95% C.I. [-0.04, -0.01]), Openness (b = 0.04, p < 0.001, 95% C.I. [0.02, 0.06]), and Conscientiousness (b = 0.08, p < 0.001, 95% C.I. [0.06, 0.10]) were significant predictors of SRH in healthy controls, whereas Conscientiousness (b = 0.08, p < 0.05, 95% C.I. [0.01, 0.16]) and Extraversion (b = -0.09, p < 0.01, 95% C.I. [-0.15, -0.02]) were significant predictors of SRH in CHD patients.

CONCLUSION

Based on the close associations between personality traits and SRH, and the subsequent impact on patient outcomes, the results of this study should be taken into consideration by clinicians and health professionals when developing tailored treatment and intervention programs for their patients.

Personality predicts self-rated health: considering age differences

Self-rated health (SRH) refers to the subjective evaluation of one's own health. Big Five personality traits including Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Openness, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion have been consistently found as significant predictors of SRH. In addition, SRH declines with age, and personality traits change with age. Thus, it is reasonable to speculate that age might moderate the associations between personality traits and SRH. The current study analyzed data from 33,256 participants with a mean age of 45.78 years old and 55.92% females. The current study found that age significantly moderates the associations between Agreeableness, Openness, and Conscientiousness and SRH after controlling for demographic covariates. The current study implies that personality traits relate to SRH differently at different ages. Thus, studies regarding the associations between personality traits and SRH must take the interactions between age and personality traits into account.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of the General Population toward the Old-New Outbreak of Cholera in a Developing Country

Background: In October 2022, the first case of cholera since 1993 was recorded in Lebanon. This study aimed to develop and validate a tool to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward cholera infection and its prevention among the general population in Lebanon and identify the associated factors related to the KAP assessment to guide prevention and awareness strategies. The nation's already precarious healthcare system might become overwhelmed by the response to the cholera outbreak. Therefore, evaluating the level of cholera-related KAP among the Lebanese population is crucial since it directly affects the disease's treatment, control, and prevention. Methods: This online cross-sectional study was carried out between October and November 2022 during the cholera outbreak in Lebanon. Snowball sampling was used to recruit 448 adults living in Lebanon. Results: The suggested KAP scales had adequate structural and convergent validity and were internally consistent. The disease knowledge was inversely associated with the reluctance to receive educational information (β = -1.58) and cigarette smoking (β = -1.31) but positively associated with the female gender (β = 1.74) and awareness of vaccine availability and efficacy (β = 1.34). For attitude, healthcare professionals were less frightened than others (β = 2.69). Better practices were related to better knowledge (β = 0.43), while inadequate practices were associated with getting information from social media (β = -2.47). Conclusions: This study could identify notable gaps in the knowledge, attitudes, and practices, which varied according to participant characteristics. Cholera incidence can be reduced by improved community education and training, increased access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene amenities, and changes in behavior. These findings warrant additional actions by public health stakeholders and governmental authorities to promote better practices and curb disease transmission.

The associations between personality traits and mental health in people with and without asthma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study is to investigate the associations between personality traits associated with mental health in people with asthma and compare it with people without asthma.

METHODS

Data came from UKHLS with 3929 patients with asthma with a mean age of 49.19 (S.D. = 15.23) years old (40.09 % males) and 22,889 healthy controls (42.90 % males) with a mean age of 45.60 (S.D. = 17.23) years old. First, the current study investigated the difference in Big Five personality traits and mental health between people with and without asthma using a predictive normative modeling approach with one-sample t-tests. Second, a hierarchical regression accompanied by two multiple regressions was used to determine how personality traits may relate to people with and without asthma differently.

RESULTS

The current study found asthma patients have significantly higher Neuroticism, higher Openness, lower Conscientiousness, higher Extroversion, and worse mental health. Asthma status significantly moderated the association between Neuroticism and mental health with this relationship being stronger in people with asthma. Moreover, Neuroticism was positively related to worse mental health and Conscientiousness and Extraversion were negatively associated with worse mental health in people with and without asthma. However, Openness was negatively associated with worse mental health in people without asthma but not in people with asthma.

LIMITATIONS

The limitations of the current study include cross-sectional designs, self-reported measured, and limited generalizability to other countries.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians and health professionals should use findings from the current study to come up with prevention and interaction programs that promote mental health based on personality traits in asthma patients.

Personality and aging-related immune phenotype

An aging-related immune phenotype (ARIP) has been defined as a decrease in naïve T cells (T_N) relative to the accumulation of memory T cells (T_M). Recent research implicates ARIP measures, such as CD4 +T_N/T_M and CD8 +T_N/T_M ratios, in multimorbidity and mortality. This study examined whether psychological dispositions that assess how people think, feel, and behave are related to CD4 +T_N/T_M and CD8 +T_N/T_M. Participants were adults aged 50-104 years (N = 4798; 58% women, Mean Age= 67.95, SD= 9.56) from the Health and Retirement Study. Data on CD4 +T_N/T_M and CD8 +T_N/T_M were obtained in 2016. Data on personality, demographic factors, and potential clinical (body mass index, disease burden), behavioral (smoking, alcohol, physical activity), psychological (depressive symptoms, stress), and biological (cytomegalovirus IgG antibodies) mediating factors were obtained in 2014/2016. Controlling for demographic factors, higher conscientiousness was related to higher CD4 +T_N/T_M and CD8 +T_N/T_M. To a lesser extent, higher neuroticism and lower extraversion were associated with lower CD4 +T_N/T_M. Physical activity, and to a lesser extent BMI and disease burden, were the most robust mediators between personality and ARIP measures. Cytomegalovirus IgG level mediated the association between conscientiousness and both CD4 +T_N/T_M and CD8 +T_N/T_M. This study provides novel evidence that personality is related to ARIP. Higher conscientiousness and, to a lesser extent, higher extraversion may be protective against age-related immunophenotype change, whereas neuroticism may be a risk factor.

Five-Factor Model Personality Domains and Facets Associated with Markers of Cognitive Health

Using a diverse, age-stratified sample (N=3,478; age range 18-90) this study examines the cross-sectional association between five-factor model personality traits - domains and facets - and three measures of cognitive health - processing speed, visuospatial ability, subjective memory - and whether these associations vary by age, race, and ethnicity. Consistent with the literature on personality and cognitive health, higher openness and conscientiousness were associated with better cognitive performance and subjective memory, whereas higher neuroticism was associated with slower processing speed and worse subjective memory but was unrelated to visuospatial ability. Moderation analyses suggested some associations were stronger in midlife compared to younger and older adulthood but were generally similar across race and ethnicity. The facet-level analyses indicated the components of each domain most strongly associated with cognitive function (e.g., the responsibility facet of conscientiousness) and suggested some differences across facets within the same domain (e.g., depression was associated with worse performance, whereas anxiety was unrelated to performance; sociability was the only facet of extraversion associated with worse performance). The present research is consistent with the larger literature on personality and cognition and extends it by documenting similarities and differences across facets and demographic groups.

Evaluating the genetic interaction effects of gut microbiome and diet on the risk of neuroticism in the UK Biobank cohort

OBJECTIVES

In this study designed to investigate the effect of diet and gut microbiome on neuropsychiatric disorders, we explored the mechanisms of the interaction between diet and gut microbiome on the risk of neuroticism.

METHODS

First, using the individual genotype data from the UK Biobank cohort (N = 306 165), we calculated the polygenic risk score (PRS) based on 814 dietary habits single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 21 diet compositions SNPs and 1001 gut microbiome SNPs, respectively. Gut microbiome and diet-associated SNPs were collected from three genome-wide association studies (GWAS), including the gut microbiome (N = 3890), diet compositions (over 235 000 subjects) and dietary habits (N = 449 210). The neuroticism score was calculated by 12 questions from the Eysenck Personality Inventory Neuroticism scale. Then, regression analysis was performed to evaluate the interaction effects between diet and the gut microbiome on the risk of neuroticism.

RESULTS

Our studies demonstrated multiple candidate interactions between diet and gut microbiome, such as protein vs. Bifidobacterium (β = 4.59 × 10-3; P = 9.45 × 10-3) and fat vs. Clostridia (β = 3.67 × 10-3; P = 3.90 × 10-2). In addition, pieces of fresh fruit per day vs. Ruminococcus (β = -5.79 × 10-3, P = 1.10 × 10-3) and pieces of dried fruit per day vs. Clostridiales (β = -5.63 × 10-3, P = 1.49 × 10-3) were found to be negatively associated with neuroticism in fruit types. We also identified several positive interactions, such as tablespoons of raw vegetables per day vs. Veillonella (β = 5.92 × 10-3, P = 9.21 × 10-4) and cooked vegetables per day vs. Acidaminococcaceae (β = 5.69 × 10-3, P = 1.24 × 10-3).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide novel clues for understanding the roles of diet and gut microbiome in the development of neuroticism.

Measures of physical performance as mediators between personality and cognition in two prospective studies

Few studies have examined the pathways linking personality to cognition. This study aimed to examine whether measures of physical performance (gait speed, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and grip strength) mediated the association between five-factor model personality traits and cognition (memory performance, subjective memory, and informant-rated cognition). Participants were aged 57 to 95 years from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, N = 4,109) and the English Longitudinal Study of ageing (ELSA, N = 3,584). In HRS, personality and demographic factors were assessed in 2008/2010, physical performance in 2012/2014, and memory performance and subjective memory in 2016/2018. Informant-rated cognition was obtained in 2016 for an HRS subsample. In ELSA, personality and demographic factors were assessed in 2010/2011, physical performance in 2012/2013, and objective and subjective memory in 2014/2015. Informant-rated cognition was obtained in 2018 for an ELSA subsample. With a few exceptions, replicable patterns of mediation were found across HRS and ELSA. Slower gait speed partially mediated the association between higher neuroticism, lower conscientiousness and worse scores on all three cognitive measures (memory performance, subjective memory, and informant-rated cognition). Slower gait also partially mediated the association between openness and both objective and subjective memory. There was less replicable evidence for a mediating role of PEF and grip strength. The present study advances knowledge on the pathways linking personality to cognition in older adults and supports the hypothesis that personality associations with better physical function can help support healthy cognitive aging.

Personality associations with lung function and dyspnea: Evidence from six studies

OBJECTIVE

The present study examined the association between Five Factor Model personality traits and lung function and dyspnea.

METHODS

Participants were middle aged and older adults aged 34-103 years old (N > 25,000) from the Midlife in the United States Study (MIDUS), the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), the National Health and Aging Trends Survey (NHATS), and the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study graduate (WLSG) and sibling (WLSS) samples. Data on peak expiratory flow (PEF), dyspnea, personality traits, smoking, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), emotional/psychiatric problems, and demographic factors were obtained in each sample.

RESULTS

A meta-analysis indicated that higher neuroticism was related to lower PEF, higher risk of PEF less than 80% of predicted value, and higher risk of dyspnea. In contrast, higher extraversion and conscientiousness were associated with higher PEF, lower likelihood of PEF lower than 80% of the predicted value, and lower risk of dyspnea. Higher openness was related to higher PEF and lower risk of PEF less than 80%, whereas agreeableness was related to higher PEF and lower risk of dyspnea. Smoking, physical activity, BMI and emotional/psychiatric problems partially accounted for these associations. There was little evidence that lung disease moderated the association between personality and PEF and dyspnea.

CONCLUSIONS

Across cohorts, this study found replicable evidence that personality is associated with lung function and associated symptomatology.

The mediating role of Vitamin D in the association between personality and memory: Evidence from two samples

Five-Factor Model (FFM) personality traits are consistently related to cognition in old age. However, little is known about the biological mediators of this association. The present study examined whether levels of Vitamin D mediated the association between personality and memory. Participants were adults aged 50-96 years from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, N = 5229) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA, N = 4249). In HRS, personality and demographic factors were assessed in 2012/2014, Vitamin D was assessed in 2016, and memory was assessed in 2018. In ELSA, personality and demographic factors were obtained in 2010/2011, Vitamin D was measured in 2012/2013, and memory was assessed in 2014/2015. In both samples, higher extraversion and conscientiousness were related to higher levels of Vitamin D, whereas higher neuroticism was related to lower Vitamin D. In both samples, higher Vitamin D partly mediated the association between both higher extraversion and conscientiousness and better memory. The association between higher neuroticism and worse memory at follow-up was partially mediated by lower Vitamin D in the HRS and ELSA. Vitamin D did not mediate the association between higher openness and better memory. The present study extends the personality-cognition literature by providing new replicable evidence that Vitamin D is a biological mediator.

Personality Traits Predict 7-Year Risk of Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis: A Prospective Study

Objective: The objective of the current study is to investigate how Big Five personality traits could predict the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in 7 years. Methods: A binary logistic regression was used to analyze data from 17,791 participants who responded to questions at Wave 3 (collected between 2011 to 2012) and Wave 10 (collected between 2018 to 2019) using a binary logistic regression from UKHLS with a mean age of 47.01 (S.D. = 16.31) years old with 42.62% males. Results: The current study found that Openness (OR = 0.68, p < 0.01, 95% C.I. (0.51, 0.89)) and Conscientiousness (OR = 0.70, p < 0.05, 95% C.I. (0.52, 0.93)) are positively associated with a reduced risk of MS diagnosis in 7 years. Conclusion: Health professionals can use findings from the current study as evidence for developing tools for assessing the risk of MS, and providing interventions for people who may be at high risk of MS based on their personality traits.

The impact of personality on the risk and survival of breast cancer: a Mendelian randomization analysis

BACKGROUND

It has long been hypothesized that personality plays a causative role in incidence and outcome of breast cancer (BC), but epidemiological evidence of association between personality and BC is inconsistent.

METHOD

We used two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to estimate the impact of personality on the risk and survival of BC. In total, 109 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were utilized as instruments of neuroticism from a large-scale Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), and five SNPs were utilized as instruments of extraversion from Genetic of Personality Consortium and 23andMe. Genetic association with the risk and survival of overall and individual subtype BC were obtained from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium.

RESULT

Neuroticism is significantly associated with the risk of overall BC [odds ratio (OR) 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.11; p = 0.015] and the risk of luminal A BC (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.03-1.16; p = 0.004). Extraversion is not associated with the risk of BC. None of neuroticism or extraversion is associated with the survival of BC.

CONCLUSION

Neuroticism was associated with a modest increased risk of BC and particularly luminal A BC.

Will personality traits affect the use of e-cigar among college students? A cross-sectional study in Guangdong Province, China

Background

The prevalence of e-cigar among adolescents and young adults around the world is increasing rapidly, which has a serious impact on the health of young people. This study assessed the prevalence of e-cigar among college students and to explore the relationship between e-cigar use and personality traits.

Methods

This study conducted an electronic questionnaire survey on college students who were from three undergraduate universities and three junior colleges in Guangdong Province from January 2022 to March 2022. The survey was conducted by stratified cluster sampling, and the respondents were 1362. Statistical descriptions are used to describe the demographic characteristics and personality traits of participants. Mann-Whitney U tests, and Chi-square tests were used to compare the differences between current e-cigar users and non e-cigar users. Two-step hierarchical Logistic regression was used to predict the associated factors with e-cigar use.

Results

The prevalence of current e-cigar users was 5.1%. Agreeableness showed statistically significant higher in non-users (Z = 2.585, P < 0.01). Moreover, gender (AOR = 0.312, 95%CI: 0.174-0.562), the relationship with mother (AOR = 5.887, 95%CI: 1.460-23.748), friends who use e-cigar (AOR = 3.808, 95%CI: 2.159-6.719), allowance per month (AOR = 2.482, 95%CI: 1.371-4.490), and agreeableness (AOR = 0.957, 95%CI: 0.918-0.997) were related to the use of e-cigar.

Conclusion

The level of agreeableness is associated with the use of e-cigar among college students. All these provided an important theoretical basis for future intervention.

Association between the Big Five personality traits and medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease: A cross-sectional study

The correlation between personality traits and health outcomes of primary prevention has been examined. However, there is a lack of evidence on the association between the assessment of personality traits and medication adherence for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Thus, this study aimed to explore the association between personality traits and medication adherence, including compliance to prescribed medications and attitudes toward taking medications among patients with cardiovascular disease. This cross-sectional study included patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease. We assessed the Big Five personality traits (conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness, extraversion, and agreeableness) of each patient at discharge using the Ten-Item Personality Inventory. In addition, we evaluated four aspects of medication adherence using a 12-item version of the medication adherence scale: medication compliance, collaboration with health care providers, willingness to access and use information on medication, and acceptance to take medication. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the correlation between the level of each medication adherence domain and each personality trait. The data of 128 patients with cardiovascular disease were analyzed. Higher conscientiousness score was significantly associated with a high compliance score (odds ratio per 1 point increase, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-2.79; p = 0.001), high collaboration score (1.90; 1.31-2.76; p = 0.001), and high willingness score (1.74; 1.19-2.54; p = 0.004) after adjustment for potential confounders. Other combinations of personality traits and medication adherence showed no statistically significant correlations in multivariate analyses. The findings of this study suggest that assessment of personality traits, especially conscientiousness, may facilitate patient-medical staff communication for the improvement of medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Personality-related and psychosocial correlates of sick leave days in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings of a representative survey

Background

The aim of our study was to assess the personality-related and psychosocial correlates of sick leave days in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We used data from a representative online-survey covering the general German adult population (data collection: mid-March 2022). We restricted our sample to full-time employed individuals aged 18 to 64 years (n = 1,342 individuals). Sick leave days in the preceding 12 months served as outcome measure. Validated and established tools were used to quantify personality characteristics and psychosocial factors (such as the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale or the De Jong Gierveld loneliness tool). Negative binomial regression models were used.

Results

After adjusting for various sociodemographic and health-related factors, regressions showed that a higher number of sick leave days was associated with lower levels of conscientiousness (IRR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73-0.97), higher levels of openness to experience (IRR: 1.19, 1.04–1.35), less coronavirus anxiety (IRR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.86-0.93), and more depressive symptoms (IRR: 1.06, 1.02–1.11).

Conclusion

After adjusting for various sociodemographic and health-related factors, our study showed an association between personality-related and psychosocial factors with sick leave days. More research is required to clarify the underlying pathways.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13690-022-00980-6.

Personality and oral health-related quality of life. Results from an online survey

BACKGROUND

To investigate the association between personality factors and oral health-related quality of life.

METHODS

Data were taken from an online survey (representative for the general adult population in Germany in terms of region, sex and age group; n = 3,075) performed in late summer 2021. The well-established Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G5) was used to measure oral health-related quality of life. Moreover, the established 10 Item Big Five Inventory (BFI-10) was used to quantify personality factors (in terms of agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness to experience). Sex, age, family status, educational level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, sports activities, presence of chronic diseases and self-rated health were adjusted for in multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Pearson correlations between oral health-related quality of life and personality factors ranged from r =- 0.17 (conscientiousness) to r = 0.17 (neuroticism). Regressions revealed that low oral health-related quality of life is associated with higher neuroticism (β = 0.39, p < 0.001) and lower conscientiousness (β=-0.51, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed an association between personality factors (higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness) and low oral health-related quality of life. Before dental treatment, it may be helpful to measure personality traits of patients in order to predict the expectations of patients, as well as their responses to intended treatments. This may support the identification of the most appropriate method of treatment.

Personality Traits Predict Life Satisfaction in Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Patients

Objectives: The objective of the current study is to establish the association between Big Five personality traits and life satisfaction in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. Methods: The current study analyzed data from 566 patients with CHD with a mean age of 63.00 ± 15.23 years old (61.13% males) and 3018 healthy controls (63.95% females) with a mean age of 63.85 (S.D. = 9.59) years old from the UKHLS. A train-and-test approach accompanied by one-sample t-tests was used to analyze the differences in personality traits and life satisfaction between CHD patients and healthy controls while controlling for potential confounders. Two multiple regression models were applied to analyze the associations between personality traits and life satisfaction in CHD patients and healthy controls, respectively. Results: The current study found that CHD patients have lower conscientiousness scores than healthy controls. Moreover, neuroticism was negatively related to life satisfaction, and agreeableness, conscientiousness, and extraversion were positively related to life satisfaction in healthy controls. However, only neuroticism and agreeableness were related to life satisfaction in CHD patients. Conclusion: Health professionals and clinicians should utilize findings from the current study to make customized interventions based on CHD patients’ personality traits to gain better well-being outcomes such as life satisfaction.

Differential personality change earlier and later in the coronavirus pandemic in a longitudinal sample of adults in the United States

Five-factor model personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness) are thought to be relatively impervious to environmental demands in adulthood. The coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented opportunity to examine whether personality changed during a stressful global event. Surprisingly, two previous studies found that neuroticism decreased early in the pandemic, whereas there was less evidence for change in the other four traits during this period. The present research used longitudinal assessments of personality from the Understanding America Study (N = 7,109; 18,623 assessments) to examine personality changes relatively earlier (2020) and later (2021–2022) in the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels. Replicating the two previous studies, neuroticism declined very slightly in 2020 compared to pre-pandemic levels; there were no changes in the other four traits. When personality was measured in 2021–2022, however, there was no significant change in neuroticism compared to pre-pandemic levels, but there were significant small declines in extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. The changes were about one-tenth of a standard deviation, which is equivalent to about one decade of normative personality change. These changes were moderated by age and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, but not race or education. Strikingly, younger adults showed disrupted maturity in that they increased in neuroticism and declined in agreeableness and conscientiousness. Current evidence suggests the slight decrease in neuroticism early in the pandemic was short-lived and detrimental changes in the other traits emerged over time. If these changes are enduring, this evidence suggests population-wide stressful events can slightly bend the trajectory of personality, especially in younger adults.

Five-factor model personality traits and grip strength: Meta-analysis of seven studies

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between Five-Factor Model personality traits and grip strength.

METHOD

Adults aged 16 to 104 years old (N > 40,000) were from the Health and Retirement Study, the Midlife in the United States Study, The English Longitudinal Study of Aging, the National Health and Aging Trends Survey, the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study, and the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study graduate and sibling samples. Participants had data on personality traits, demographic factors, grip strength, and mediators such as depressive symptoms, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), and c-reactive protein (CRP).

RESULTS

Across all samples and a meta-analysis, higher neuroticism was related to lower grip strength (meta-analytic estimate: -0.07, 95%CI: -0.075; -0.056). Higher extraversion (0.04, 95%CI: 0.022; 0.060), openness (0.05, 95%CI: 0.032; 0.062), and conscientiousness (0.05, 95%CI: 0.04; 0.065) were associated with higher grip strength across most samples and the meta-analysis. Depressive symptoms were the most consistent mediators between neuroticism and grip strength. Depressive symptoms and physical activity partly mediated the associations with extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness. Lower CRP partly mediated the association with conscientiousness. Sex moderated the associations for extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness, with stronger associations among males. Age moderated the neuroticism association, with stronger associations among younger individuals.

CONCLUSION

This study provides replicable evidence that personality is related to grip strength and identifies potential moderators and mediators of these associations. Overall, higher neuroticism is a risk factor for low grip strength, whereas high extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness may be protective.

Facets of Personality and Risk of Cognitive Impairment: Longitudinal Findings in a Rural Community from Sardinia

Background: Few studies have examined the associations between personality facets and dementia risk and rarely included individuals from rural settings or with low education. Objective: To examine the association between personality and the risk of cognitive impairment. Methods: Participants (N = 1,668; age 50 to 94 at baseline; 56.4% women; 86.5% less than high school diploma) were from a rural region of Sardinia (Italy) who completed the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) during the first wave (2001–2004) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at waves two to five (2005–2021). Cox regression was used to test personality and covariates as predictors of cognitive impairment based on MMSE education-adjusted cutoffs. Results: During the up to 18-year follow-up (M = 10.38; SD = 4.76), 187 individuals (11.2%) scored as cognitively impaired. Participants with higher neuroticism (particularly the depression facet [HR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06–1.40]), and lower agreeableness (particularly the modesty facet [HR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.71–0.97]) and lower conscientiousness (particularly the dutifulness facet [HR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.67–0.92]) were at higher risk of cognitive impairment. Lower warmth ([HR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.65–0.87], facet of extraversion) and ideas ([HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.65–0.89], facet of openness) were also associated with increased risk of impairment. These associations were virtually unchanged in models that accounted for other risk factors, including smoking, depression, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 carrier status. Across the five domains, sex and the APOE variant did not moderate the associations. Conclusion: In a sample with demographic characteristics underrepresented in dementia research, this study identifies personality domains and facets most relevant to the risk of cognitive impairment.