(CNN) -- Your spouse "had to stay late at work" --
are you skeptical? Do you think your friend doesn't like you if he
cancels dinner plans? Do you suspect that your co-worker is putting her
ambitions ahead of the team?
Curmudgeons of the world, listen up: This line of negative thinking might actually hurt your health.
A new study in the latest edition of Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found that cynical people have a higher likelihood of developing dementia.
"There have been previous
studies that showed that people who were cynical were more likely to
die earlier and have other poor health outcomes, but no one that we
could tell ever looked at dementia," said Anna-Maija Tolppanen, one of the study's authors and a professor at the University of Eastern Finland. "We have seen some studies
that show people who are more open and optimistic have a lower risk for
dementia so we thought this was a good question to ask."
studies that showed that people who were cynical were more likely to
die earlier and have other poor health outcomes, but no one that we
could tell ever looked at dementia," said Anna-Maija Tolppanen, one of the study's authors and a professor at the University of Eastern Finland. "We have seen some studies
that show people who are more open and optimistic have a lower risk for
dementia so we thought this was a good question to ask."
Studying cynicism
Cynicism is a deep mistrust of others. Psychologists consider it a kind of chronic anger that develops over time.
Specifically, the kind of
cynicism researchers looked at involved doubting the truth of what
people say and believing most people are motivated by self-interest
rather than by what is best for the community.
cynicism researchers looked at involved doubting the truth of what
people say and believing most people are motivated by self-interest
rather than by what is best for the community.
The study tested 1,449
people with an average age of 71. The study participants took a test for
dementia. A separate test measured their level of cynicism. Both tests
are considered reliable by researchers.
people with an average age of 71. The study participants took a test for
dementia. A separate test measured their level of cynicism. Both tests
are considered reliable by researchers.
The cynicism test asks
if the person agrees with statements like "Most people will use somewhat
unfair reasons to gain profit or an advantage rather than lose it"; "I
think most people would lie to get ahead"; and "It is safer to trust
nobody."
if the person agrees with statements like "Most people will use somewhat
unfair reasons to gain profit or an advantage rather than lose it"; "I
think most people would lie to get ahead"; and "It is safer to trust
nobody."
Those who agreed with
the critical statements in the test were considered highly cynical. The
people with the highest level of cynical distrust had a 2.54 times
greater risk of dementia than those with the lowest cynicism rating.
the critical statements in the test were considered highly cynical. The
people with the highest level of cynical distrust had a 2.54 times
greater risk of dementia than those with the lowest cynicism rating.
Researchers also
examined the test results to see if the subjects who were labeled highly
cynical died sooner than the others. But once compounding factors were
screened out, they did not. Previous studies have shown a link between
cynicism and an earlier death.
examined the test results to see if the subjects who were labeled highly
cynical died sooner than the others. But once compounding factors were
screened out, they did not. Previous studies have shown a link between
cynicism and an earlier death.
Still, the new study
does not prove that having a bad attitude causes bad health outcomes. To
prove a causal relationship, a study would need randomized controlled
trials to show that a reduction in cynical attitudes through treatment
actually lowered the risk of bad health outcomes.
does not prove that having a bad attitude causes bad health outcomes. To
prove a causal relationship, a study would need randomized controlled
trials to show that a reduction in cynical attitudes through treatment
actually lowered the risk of bad health outcomes.
More research is
necessary to replicate the conclusions. But the results complement a
wide body of research showing how "over time, people with highly cynical
hostility do worse health wise," said Dr. Hilary Tindle, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
necessary to replicate the conclusions. But the results complement a
wide body of research showing how "over time, people with highly cynical
hostility do worse health wise," said Dr. Hilary Tindle, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
Why cynicism may be bad for you
What might explain an association between cynicism and poor health?
This is a complex issue
that needs to be studied more, Tindle said. The relationships between
psychological attitudes and health outcomes are very complex.
that needs to be studied more, Tindle said. The relationships between
psychological attitudes and health outcomes are very complex.
"I can tell you from my
clinical perspective from treating patients, I am absolutely certain
that psychological attitudes can lead people down a road to poor health,
because I see it every day when I talk to patients," said Tindle, who
wrote the book "Up: How Positive Outlook Can Transform Our Health and
Aging."
clinical perspective from treating patients, I am absolutely certain
that psychological attitudes can lead people down a road to poor health,
because I see it every day when I talk to patients," said Tindle, who
wrote the book "Up: How Positive Outlook Can Transform Our Health and
Aging."
Tindle was the lead author on a study that examined the health outcomes of over 97,000 women and found that cynical women had a higher hazard of cancer-related mortality.
Technology and its effect on the brain
Study: Loneliness linked to dementia
'Digital dementia' on the rise"The bottom line is that a high degree of anger/hostility/cynicism is not good for health," she wrote.
Research shows cynical
people also tend to smoke more, exercise less and weigh more. They also
have a harder time following even the best medical advice, because their
cynical natures won't let them believe what people tell them, Tindle
said.
people also tend to smoke more, exercise less and weigh more. They also
have a harder time following even the best medical advice, because their
cynical natures won't let them believe what people tell them, Tindle
said.
Past studies have also found that people who are cynical have a higher rate of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular problems
and cancer-related deaths. Cardiovascular disease can contribute to
dementia because it essentially damages small blood vessels everywhere
in your body, including in your brain.
and cancer-related deaths. Cardiovascular disease can contribute to
dementia because it essentially damages small blood vessels everywhere
in your body, including in your brain.
Cynical people also tend
to have greater stress responses, which means they typically have a
higher heart rate, a higher blood pressure peak, and a tendency to have
greater inflammation of their immune systems. Chronic inflammation is
now known to be harmful to one's overall health and it is linked to
everything from Crohn's disease to high cholesterol to even Alzheimer's.
to have greater stress responses, which means they typically have a
higher heart rate, a higher blood pressure peak, and a tendency to have
greater inflammation of their immune systems. Chronic inflammation is
now known to be harmful to one's overall health and it is linked to
everything from Crohn's disease to high cholesterol to even Alzheimer's.
Can you come out of cynicism?
The good news is, being highly cynical is not a permanent state of mind.
"I am also certain that
people can learn to change -- they change every day in that they quit
smoking, they lose weight, they cut ties in unhealthy friendships,"
Tindle said. "The ultimate message is people are not 'doomed' if they
have cynical tendencies."
people can learn to change -- they change every day in that they quit
smoking, they lose weight, they cut ties in unhealthy friendships,"
Tindle said. "The ultimate message is people are not 'doomed' if they
have cynical tendencies."
So if your assumptions about people are making you angry and irritable, try having a little more trust.
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