![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on April 7, 2009, at 12:51:46
I came across a Mayo Clinic study that reported that people who are pessimistic or have a depressive thought-style are likely to die earlier in life. I included the abstract at the bottom of this post.
I remember reading an article long ago in Scientific American that reported similar results for the presence of cynicism. This was an unexpected finding during a time when so much attention was being paid to the "type-A" personality and its association with a higher rate of heart-attacks. When parsed, the data pointed to cynicism rather than anger, impatience, or perfectionism as the trait associated with premature death.
- Scott*******************************************
Pessimistic, Anxious, and Depressive Personality Traits Predict All-Cause Mortality: The Mayo Clinic Cohort Study of Personality and AgingBrandon R. Grossardt , MS, James H. Bower , MD, MSc, Yonas E. Geda , MD, MSc, Robert C. Colligan , PhD, Walter A. Rocca , MD, MPH
Abstract
Objective: To study the association between several personality traits and all-cause mortality. Methods: We established a historical cohort of 7216 subjects who completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) for research at the Mayo Clinic from 1962 to 1965, and who resided within a 120-mile radius centered in Rochester, MN. A total of 7080 subjects (98.1%) were followed over four decades either actively (via a direct or proxy telephone interview) or passively (via review of medical records or by obtaining their death certificates). We examined the association of pessimistic, anxious, and depressive personality traits (as measured using MMPI scales) with all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 4634 subjects (65.5%) died during follow-up. Pessimistic, anxious, and depressive personality traits were associated with increased all-cause mortality in both men and women. In addition, we observed a linear trend of increasing risk from the first to the fourth quartile for all three scales. Results were similar in additional analyses considering the personality scores as continuous variables, in analyses combining the three personality traits into a composite neuroticism score, and in several sets of sensitivity analyses. These associations remained significant even when personality was measured early in life (ages 2039 years). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that personality traits related to neuroticism are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality even when they are measured early in life.
Key Words: mortality, pessimism, anxiety, depression, neuroticism, MMPI
Posted by coincoin on April 7, 2009, at 13:11:43
In reply to Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by SLS on April 7, 2009, at 12:51:46
the all important psycho-somatic connection...
Posted by metric on April 7, 2009, at 13:15:33
In reply to Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by SLS on April 7, 2009, at 12:51:46
They found an association. That's it. Just as one would expect. From that one can't conclude that pessimism per se *leads* to early mortality, as the title of this thread announces.
Posted by SLS on April 7, 2009, at 13:30:48
In reply to Re: Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by metric on April 7, 2009, at 13:15:33
> They found an association. That's it. Just as one would expect. From that one can't conclude that pessimism per se *leads* to early mortality, as the title of this thread announces.
What would you have them do instead at this point?
Associations are a good place to start.
To pronounce cause and effect would require a biological puzzle to be solved. I'm not sure that it can't be solved already. Now, all we need are people who are interested enough in the results of this study of association to go on to conduct studies of biological events. That could take awhile, so, in the meantime, I will remain happy and optimistic rather than invest my energies in being pessimistic or cynical - just in case. Besides, for me, it just feels better to live happy and optimistic, despite pain and frustration. It is a choice.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on April 7, 2009, at 13:31:00
In reply to Re: Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by metric on April 7, 2009, at 13:15:33
I've always been Type A all deaths in family small one heart attacks strokes and high anxiety benzos treated. Love Phillipa
Posted by Sigismund on April 7, 2009, at 16:17:52
In reply to Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by SLS on April 7, 2009, at 12:51:46
Well, that's good.
I might get out of this place quicker than I thought.
Posted by Maria3667 on April 7, 2009, at 18:33:27
In reply to Re: Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by Sigismund on April 7, 2009, at 16:17:52
Sigmund,
Yes, he he!
I agree!
Nice "side effect" for us pessimists!
Maria
> Well, that's good.
>
> I might get out of this place quicker than I thought.
Posted by Relapse on April 7, 2009, at 22:16:48
In reply to Re: Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by Sigismund on April 7, 2009, at 16:17:52
Sigismund - Man I heard the rim-shot all the way over here in Alabama. I hope you were kidding, but I am still laughing.
Dave
Posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 0:47:57
In reply to Re: Pessimism leads to early mortality » Sigismund, posted by Maria3667 on April 7, 2009, at 18:33:27
It probably won't work anyway.
Posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 0:52:52
In reply to Re: Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by Relapse on April 7, 2009, at 22:16:48
Or if it does I'll hate it.
Posted by coincoin on April 8, 2009, at 7:46:41
In reply to Re: Pessimism leads to early mortality » Relapse, posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 0:52:52
Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.
Ernest Hemingway
Posted by coincoin on April 8, 2009, at 7:59:50
In reply to Re: Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by coincoin on April 8, 2009, at 7:46:41
> Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.
> Ernest Hemingway"Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know."
--Ernest HemingwayThere, that looks better I guess.
Posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 15:53:43
In reply to Re: Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by coincoin on April 8, 2009, at 7:59:50
'If you go through life with a smile on your face you haven't been paying attention.'
Posted by Neal on April 19, 2009, at 20:59:35
In reply to Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by SLS on April 7, 2009, at 12:51:46
_
Interesting concept, but I'm a little skeptical :]_
Posted by SLS on April 20, 2009, at 7:14:13
In reply to Re: Pessimism leads to early mortality, posted by Neal on April 19, 2009, at 20:59:35
> Interesting concept, but I'm a little skeptical :]
Yeah. Too bad they didn't offer an explanation of possible cause and effect. I wonder if it doesn't have something to do with the HPA axis and cortisol. One thing worth noting is that the most recent studies indicate that, in contrast to what was once thought, optimism does not extend the life of cancer patients. However, it significantly improves their quality of life as is measured in studies. I would think that pessimism can produce depression. Depression can cause premature death, especially through untoward cardiovascular events. That is one possible scenario that I can think of. All in all, it makes no sense to remain chronically pessimistic. It's just no fun.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.