Positive association between neuroticism and working memory in healthy female volunteers

Abstract

Objectives. Neuroticism is an important personality trait that is often associated with mental disorders. It has been reported that lower levels of neuroticism are associated with better cognitive function later in life; however, the concurrent association is unclear. Methods. A total of 184 healthy participants, 84 males and 100 females, completed the Wechsler Memory Scale − Revised version and the 24-item neuroticism subscale of the Maudsley personality inventory. Results. The neuroticism score was found to be positively associated with verbal memory, general memory, and delayed recall, particularly among healthy females, independent of the effect of age. Conclusion. The mechanisms of this association remain to be elucidated. Clinicians should pay additional attention to this phenomenon.

Key words::

• Cognitive function
• neuroticism
• working memory

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Ms. Tsai Hua Chang and Mr. Chien Ting Lin for their administrative support.

Statement of interest

The authors would like to thank the National Science Council of Taiwan (NSC 91–2314-B-006-074, NSC 93–2314-B-006-107, and NSC 97–2314-B-006-006-MY3) and the Atomic Energy Council (N4I09, NSC 99-NU-E-006-003 and NSC 94–2623-7-006-015) for their financial support. This research also received funding (D102–35001 and D103–35A09) from the Headquarters of University Advancement at the National Cheng Kung University, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, ROC. The institutions funding this study had no further role in the study design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, the writing of this paper, or the decision to submit for publication. No competing financial interests exist.