New research suggests that neuroticism, a personality trait characterized by frequent negative emotions, is linked to lower total brain volume – but only for individuals with low behavioral adjustment. Those who are more adaptable and able to adjust their behavior in response to changing situations appear to be shielded from the potential negative effects of neuroticism on brain volume.
Previous studies have shown that people high in neuroticism exhibit patterns of brain activity indicative of chronic stress and difficulty regulating emotions. However, this study found that higher levels of neuroticism are associated with lower total brain volume after controlling for intracranial volume. The relationship only holds true for individuals with low behavioral adjustment.
The findings, published in the Journal of Personality, provide new insights into how personality traits interact with coping mechanisms to influence brain health. Study author Qinggang Yu and colleagues analyzed data from over 3,500 participants in the Midlife in the United States study, controlling for factors such as age, sex, race, education, and conscientiousness.
Results showed that the association between neuroticism and total brain volume depends on behavioral adjustment. In participants with high behavioral adjustment, there was no link between neuroticism and total brain volume. However, in participants with low levels of behavioral adjustment, those with higher levels of neuroticism tended to have lower brain volumes.
The study suggests that neuroticism may sensitize people to perceive threats and experience stress, which can lead to deregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and atrophy of brain tissue. However, individuals who are able and willing to adjust their behavior to cope with situational demands may be better equipped to regulate stress and maintain healthy brain function.
Source: https://www.psypost.org/neuroticism-linked-to-lower-brain-volume-in-individuals-unable-to-adapt-themselves-to-situations-in-life/