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The relationship between personality traits and biobehavioural pathways to mortality risk: an examination of weight-related indicators
Date
2025-09-30
Abstract
Introduction. Five-Factor Model personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness) have long been deemed to be important drivers of longevity; however, evidence remains divergent across traits, populations, and contexts. Furthermore, potential underlying mechanisms by which personality traits might be associated with mortality risk are unclear.
Method. Study one is a pre-registered systematic review and meta-analyses synthesizing longitudinal data from studies exploring associations of five personality traits with mortality risk to determine a) if all five traits are associated with mortality risk and b) to determine where differences between studies might lie. Two subsequent empirical studies tested weight-related indicators as potential indirect pathways in the personality-mortality association. Study 2 tested anthropometric measures of body mass index and waist circumference. Study 3 tested serum biomarkers of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Results. For study one, in pooled results neuroticism was associated with increased mortality risk with stronger effects for younger populations (age < 65). Extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness were associated with decreased mortality risk in univariate analyses, but openness was no longer a significant predictor in multivariate analysis. No significant agreeableness effects were detected. Extraversion had a significant protective effect only in pooled samples from North America and Australia. Study 2 found that higher conscientiousness was associated with reduced mortality risk, through indirect pathways of BMI and waist circumference accounting for approximately 24% and 16% of the conscientiousness-mortality association respectively. BMI and waist circumference were significant indirect pathways for neuroticism and mortality. Study 3 suggests that conscientiousness was associated with mortality risk partially through indirect effects of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol when controlling for socio-demographic variables and medication, but not chronic conditions.
Conclusions. This thesis provides evidence that personality traits are important predictors of mortality risk, and highlights potential mechanisms related to adiposity which may partially explain this association.
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University of Limerick
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Sustainable Development Goals
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Type
Thesis
Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/