Scientists have named personality characteristics as powerful predictors of death risk.

A study by the University of Limerick has shown that personality traits can be associated with the risk of death and influence a number of behavioral factors that affect health and biological processes. Thus, the characteristics affect the life span. This was reported by Medical Xpress magazine on December 15.

The analysis was based on data from almost 6 million years of life. After examining the data of 569,859 people representing 5,997,667 years of life and 43,851 deaths, scientists found a link between personality traits and the risk of death.

According to key findings, neuroticism, characterized by anxiety and emotional instability, is associated with an increased risk of an earlier death. The relationship between neuroticism and the risk of death, as specified, is influenced by age — a stronger effect is observed in young people.

Researchers emphasize that conscientiousness, manifested in organization and self-discipline, extraversion, as well as a tendency to social interaction and activity reduce the risk of death.

"Our work shows that the way we think, feel, and behave is related not only to life satisfaction and social relationships, but also to our life expectancy. Personality is the most important factor of health and longevity. It is important to emphasize that these effects are comparable in magnitude to the effects of generally accepted public health factors such as socioeconomic status," said Mairi McGeehan, lead author of the study, associate professor of Psychology at the University of Limerick and researcher at the Institute of Health Research at the same institution.

The lead author and leader of the study, associate professor of Psychology at the University of Limerick, Patrick S. O'Sullivan, emphasized that this work could launch a wide range of future projects on the relationship between the tendency to think, act and feel with life expectancy.

On December 12, Medical Xpress pointed out the connection of feelings of compassion with a higher level of life satisfaction. According to the publication, people who treat others with care and empathy are not only more satisfied with life, but also feel calmer.

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