Genetic Links Between Personality Traits and Health Outcomes Explored

An extensive international genetics study found a connection between a personality trait and increased hospital time, demonstrating the potential effects of personality on health outcomes. Researchers identified over 1,200 genetic variants linked to the ‘Big Five’ personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. These genetic patterns also tied to various life outcomes, such as health, longevity, education, career paths, and income.

Led by the Revived Genomics of Personality Consortium, the study aggregated data from 46 research cohorts globally. Participants provided DNA samples and completed assessments of the Big Five personality traits. While no single gene determined personality, the study detected multiple genetic variants that collectively influence thinking, feeling, and behavior.

‘There is no single ‘personality gene,” stated Ted Schwaba, the study’s lead author and assistant professor at Michigan State University’s Department of Psychology. ‘Personality traits are linked to many genetic variants, but the impact of each individual variant is minor. However, combined, these effects are significant.’

Personality and Hospital Time

The study highlighted a link between genetic variants related to neuroticism and longer hospital stays. Neuroticism involves experiencing negative emotions like anxiety and sadness.

Dr. T. Ayodele Ajayi, a consultant psychiatrist not involved in the study, commented that higher neuroticism might lead to complex or co-occurring conditions, necessitating further treatment. This increased sensitivity to stress might hinder coping with diagnoses and recovery.

‘Genetic variants related to neuroticism predict extended hospital time, which matters for health researchers,’ mentioned Schwaba. Ajayi noted that such findings warrant further exploration.

He emphasized that the study shows an association, not causality, and doesn’t specify whether hospitalizations concern physical, mental, or both health conditions.

Interplay of Personality, Genetics, and Environment

Genetic patterns associated with personality traits overlap with those affecting health, longevity, and career outcomes. Some associations affect daily habits. For instance, genetic variants linked to conscientiousness correlate with higher daytime activity. Openness to experience and extraversion relate to being night owls.

The study demonstrated that personality, genetics, and environment interact. Variants associated with openness often lead to settling in cosmopolitan areas, which can reinforce or shape this trait further.

‘Variants linked to openness correlate with higher income and job-switching, informative for vocational research,’ Schwaba noted.

The Role of Genetics

By comparing genetic data with personality scores, researchers identified variants for each trait. Although individual variant effects were small, their collective influence was substantial and consistent across populations. For instance, extraversion-related genes in a young Dutch adult could predict extraversion in an older American.

Genetics contribute significantly, but the environment also shapes personality. The study underscores the importance of looking at personality traits in diverse research fields.

‘Personality seems significant everywhere. We hope this encourages scientists to incorporate personality traits into their studies,’ Schwaba said.

The findings propose that investigating the genetics of personality could impact fields beyond psychology, aiding in medicine, health, education, and workplace research.