Positivity, stubbornness as well as a conscientious work ethic could lead to a longer life, according to a new study.
Researchers studied the mental and physical health levels of a team of Italians aged from 90 to 101 and discovered that there were several common psychological traits among them.
The research was published in International Psychogeriatrics and concluded that the participants had better overall mental well-being compared with their younger family members. The researchers attributed this to their longevity.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego and the University of Rome La Sapienza also surveyed twenty-nine participants that lived in remote villages in southern Italy.
They assessed the participants' mental and physical health through a series of interviews and tests.
For comparison purposes, the scientists also conducted the same measures on the participants’ younger family members who were asked to describe the characters and lifestyle of their older relatives.
Not only the elderly participants had a sunny outlook on life, but many of them also shared stubborn personality traits, which the scientists claim can be psychologically beneficial as these people care less about what others think of them.
Another common trait among the elderly participants was the passion for rural life.
As Dilip V. Jeste, lead author of the study and professor of psychiatry and neurosciences at UC San Diego said:
"There have been a number of studies on very old adults, but they have mostly focused on genetics rather than their mental health or personalities. The main themes that emerged from our study, and appear to be the unique features associated with better mental health of this rural population, were positivity, work ethic, stubbornness and a strong bond with family, religion, and land”.
Jeste and his colleagues intend to follow up their findings with more longitudinal studies that will examine the way the participants’ biological health is linked to their physical and psychological health.
Reference: Independent.co.uk
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