Organised, Active Personalities Linked to Longer Life in Major Study

Organised, Active Personalities Linked to Longer Life in Major Study
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A new study suggests that specific personality traits — being organized, active, helpful, and responsible — are strong predictors of a longer lifespan, while frequent stress, anxiety or moodiness appear linked to increased mortality risk. The research, reported by The Guardian, analysed data from over 22,000 adults across four long-term studies, with follow-ups ranging from six to 28 years.

Researchers, led by René Mõttus of the University of Edinburgh, found that participants who described themselves as “active” had a 21% lower risk of death during the study period — even after accounting for age, gender, existing medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. Traits such as being hardworking, thorough, organized, and helpful also showed significant protective associations.

The study, published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, emphasises the importance of nuanced personality metrics over broad trait categories (like the Big Five). The emotional opposites of positive traits — for example, being moody, anxious or easily upset — were associated with higher mortality.