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Personality associations with lung function and dyspnea: Evidence from six studies
Yannick Stephan1, Angelina R Sutin2, Martina Luchetti2
1Euromov, University of Montpellier, France.
Respiratory Medicine
|January 24, 2023
Summary
Personality traits like neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness are linked to lung function and breathing difficulties (dyspnea). These associations were found in a large study of middle-aged and older adults.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pulmonology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality is a well-established framework for understanding individual differences.
- Lung function and symptoms like dyspnea significantly impact quality of life, particularly in aging populations.
- Understanding the interplay between psychological factors and respiratory health is crucial for comprehensive healthcare.
Approach:
- A meta-analysis was conducted using data from over 25,000 middle-aged and older adults across multiple large-scale longitudinal studies.
- Data included Five Factor Model personality traits, peak expiratory flow (PEF), dyspnea, smoking status, physical activity, BMI, and psychiatric history.
- Statistical analyses examined the associations between personality dimensions and lung function/dyspnea, controlling for covariates.
Key Points:
- Higher neuroticism was associated with lower lung function (PEF) and increased risk of dyspnea.
- Higher extraversion and conscientiousness correlated with better lung function and lower risk of dyspnea.
- Openness was linked to higher PEF, while agreeableness was associated with lower risk of dyspnea.
- Factors such as smoking, physical activity, BMI, and psychiatric issues partially mediated these relationships.
Conclusions:
- This study provides robust evidence for the association between personality traits and lung function.
- Personality appears to be a significant, replicable correlate of respiratory health and associated symptoms.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering psychological factors in respiratory health assessments and interventions.
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