Study finds longevity is tied to specific personality behaviours, not just healthy habits

In addition to activity levels, other qualities—such as being organised, hardworking, thorough, and cooperative—were also associated with greater longevity.

A recent scientific study has indicated that the key to a long life may extend beyond nutrition and physical activity. According to a study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, specific personality traits—such as being energetic, responsible, and helpful—were strongly linked to reduced mortality risk.

The study, which received attention after being featured by UNILAD Tech, explored how particular behavioural tendencies could influence lifespan. It challenged long-standing ideas that longevity is solely determined by genetics, diet, or exercise, suggesting instead that individual conduct and self-perception may play a measurable role in how long people live.

Professor Rene Mottus, one of the study’s authors and a researcher in ageing, explained that the team focused on detailed self-assessments rather than general personality categories such as extraversion or conscientiousness.

“Participants who identified themselves as active were considerably less likely to die during the study period,” he stated, noting that this group showed a 21 per cent lower mortality risk even after accounting for factors like age, gender, and existing health conditions.

In addition to activity levels, other qualities—such as being organised, hardworking, thorough, and cooperative—were also associated with greater longevity. The research found that these specific traits provided a more precise prediction of mortality risk than the conventional five personality dimensions commonly used in psychology.

Co-author Professor Paraic O’Suilleabhain of the University of Limerick emphasised that personality functions through small, concrete actions rather than as broad psychological categories.

“Our findings indicate that personality works as a collection of specific habits and attitudes,” he explained. “These individual characteristics have an observable effect on how long people live.”

According to the study, even among individuals who scored similarly on broader personality measures—such as extroversion—differences in specific behaviours made a tangible difference. For example, an extroverted person who regularly helps others or channels energy into productive tasks tended to live longer than someone with the same general personality type but without those directed behaviours.

Conversely, individuals who frequently displayed anxiety, irritability, or mood swings faced a higher likelihood of early death.

The researchers suggested that organisational habits could promote consistent health practices, such as maintaining regular sleep and meal schedules, which support physical well-being. Meanwhile, energetic and helpful tendencies may foster social engagement and psychological resilience—factors long recognised as beneficial to health and emotional stability.

“What this research suggests is that personality could have a supporting influence—one that is often underestimated in medicine and public health,” Professor O’Suilleabhain added.

Perhaps the most significant implication of the study is that personality is not fixed. Just as people can adopt healthier diets or exercise routines, they can also cultivate habits that mirror the beneficial traits identified by researchers.

The authors concluded that adopting behaviours such as responsibility, helpfulness, and activity could meaningfully extend life expectancy—complementing the well-known advantages of physical fitness and balanced nutrition.