Study on Longevity
What sets the world’s oldest people apart? A new study led by psychologist Maria Chiara Fastame from the University of Cagliari in Italy points to one standout characteristic: an unusually high level of openness. The research took place in Sardinia, a globally recognized 'Blue Zone' where an exceptional number of residents live past 100. These findings were published in the International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology.
The study surveyed 125 adults ranging from 71 to 101 years old. Among them, 55 participants lived in this Blue Zone, while the other 70 came from nearby regions. All individuals had similar socioeconomic backgrounds and access to free public healthcare, which helped ensure a consistent and comparable sample group.
Key Findings
Participants completed a series of assessments measuring their health, lifestyle habits, and the five major personality traits:
- openness
- conscientiousness
- extraversion
- agreeableness
- neuroticism
The results revealed that an exceptionally high degree of openness was the defining trait among the long-lived individuals. The study also found that strong conscientiousness was linked to greater life satisfaction, whereas pronounced neuroticism correlated with poorer well-being scores.
According to the data, personality traits shape daily behavioral patterns, which in turn may influence how long a person lives. These findings offer fresh insights into the factors that contribute to longevity and highlight openness as a key psychological driver in this area. The research is scheduled for publication on July 7, 2026.
This investigation underscores the importance of psychological factors in longevity—an area traditionally overshadowed by physical health considerations. The high level of openness observed among centenarians suggests that an active, curious mindset and a willingness to embrace new experiences may positively affect both quality of life and lifespan. The study could pave the way for further research in psychology and gerontology.
Understanding the psychological aspects of aging can shed light on the factors affecting longevity. For instance, recent research has explored the concept of natural selection's influence on aging, revealing how evolutionary mechanisms may play a role in the lifespan of individuals. This connection emphasizes the need to consider both psychological and biological factors when examining what contributes to a long life.