Personality as a Longevity Predictor

In a study to determine the effects of personality on longevity, the personality traits of 2359 people aged 17-98 were assessed. Over the course of the study 40% of participants passed away. Those who were found to be more extroverted, emotionally stable, or conscientious lived on average 2 to 3 years longer than those who scored below the mean in those areas. These results are independent from the effects of smoking, obesity, or gender differences. Specifically, emotional stability proved to be a strong predictor for deaths from cardiovascular disease.