Certain personality traits may help centenarians reach their advanced age, according to a Spanish study.
at the Complutense University of Madrid and her colleagues interviewed 16 women and three men aged between 100 and 107 years across Spain.
Detailed analysis of the interviews identified 35 positive personality traits in total, eight of which the team considered to be “central” because they were shared by most of the 19 interviewees. These consisted of:
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1. Vitality
Being energetic and participating in activities. For example, a 100-year-old woman told the researchers: “I was sewing until I was 98. Now I like to do crossword puzzles and I give [sudoku] a try. I go downstairs in the elevator but I walk up the stairs to exercise my legs.”
2. Commitment
To family, work and personal goals. A 107-year-old woman said she had been “the one who worked and kept the family afloat”, while a 101-year-old woman told how “four years ago, I broke my hip and a month or so later I was already walking, without crutches, without a walker or anything. I’m very determined.”
3. Staying social
The interviewees all liked to socialise and reported having warm bonds with their families.
4. Intellectual motivation
Defined as being curious and enjoying learning. “Even those who were unable to go to school learned to read and write on their own,” says Merino. For example, a 100-year-old man said he had always been an avid reader. “A lot of times I was with the cattle and made the mistake of reading, reading – and they got into the planted field,” he said.
5. Positivity
The centenarians were grateful for life and knew how to enjoy it even when it was difficult, says Merino.
6. Control
The sense of being in charge and able to make decisions. A 100-year-old woman said: “I’ve always followed my own judgement, even though others told me no, and time has proved me right.”
7. Intelligence
The centenarians showed signs of intelligence, such as a good memory, being able to take part in fast, agile conversations and having past academic or professional successes.
8. Resilience
Overcoming adversity and even being strengthened by it. For instance, a 101-year-old man said: “I was very close to my wife. I was 97 years old when she died and my daughter didn’t think I’d get over it. At first I was bad off, but then I thought that you only live once and you have to be strong; that my wife wouldn’t like to see me feeling bad.”
The participants were all in good health at the time of the interviews, which may explain why they had certain traits, such as vitality and positivity.
The study also only included centenarians from Spain, but , who directs a well‑being clinic for older people in Melbourne, Australia, says he sees many of the same traits.
In particular, strong relationships and a “can-do attitude” appear to be important, probably by helping ward off depression, he says. Depression has been linked to a compromised immune system and even dementia, says Bhar.
For people who lack these personality traits, there are ways to build them up, says Merino. “You can practise gratitude by becoming aware of all the good things in your life and in the case of control, you can establish order and habits so everyday demands do not overwhelm you,” she says.
Journal of Happiness Studies
