Are Extroverts Physically Healthier? How Introverted and Extroverted Personality Traits Affect Immunity

Extroverts may be physically healthier than introverts, according to psychology research in the July, 2009 issue of the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity. Specifically, extroverted personality traits may be connected to stress chemicals and the ability to withstand stress-related, inflammatory diseases.

The Definition of Extroverted and Introverted Personality Traits

People with extroverted personality traits are more likely to enjoy being in large groups, and to focus on the external world around them. Extroverts get energy from being with people.

People with introverted personality traits are more inward looking and comfortable in small groups. Introverts are energized by being alone.

Research About Extroverts’ and Introverts’ Physical Health

In this psychological research, extroverts’ personality traits were connected with dramatically lower levels of the inflammatory chemical interleukin 6 (IL-6), in aging women in particular. Increased inflammation associated with IL-6 can contribute to clogged arteries, heart attacks, and strokes (making introverts more vulnerable to disease).

"Our study took the important first step of finding a strong association between one part of extroversion and a specific, stress-related, inflammatory chemical," said Benjamin Chapman, Ph.D., assistant professor within the Rochester Center for Mind-Body Research (RCMBR), part of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and lead author of the study.

Chapman advises caution in interpreting these research findings, as it’s uncertain whether extroverted personality traits cause decreased IL-6, or if low levels of IL-6 are somehow contributing to extroversion. "The next step is to determine if one causes the other,” he says.

How Introverts Can Become Physically Healthier

If introverted personality traits are associated with high levels of IL-6, then a defense against stress-related, inflammatory diseases could involve conscious attempts to be more extroverted. To improve physical health, introverts could try interacting with friends and family more often and look inward less.

Other research shows that social networking and interacting with others leads to longevity or longer lifespans. Extraversion may be a physically healthier personality trait simply because “social butterflies” spend more time with people. Introverts, on the other hand, spend more time alone – which can decrease physical health.

Remember: every person - whether introverted or extroverted - is different! Though this research shows that extroverted personality traits may be connected to the ability to withstand stress-related, inflammatory diseases -- it doesn't mean all extroverts are physically healthier than introverts. Nor does it mean that all introverts are less healthy. This psychological research is simply opening up new possibilties about extroverted and introverted personality traits.

Jul 18, 2009 9:45 PM

Guest :

I disagree with this so called research my husband and I are introverted couple we enjoy time with each other and our teenager who is almost 18 hangs out with us all as a family and we are active, healthy and happy.
We avoid large groups of people is just overly draining and when you're sorrounder by people drama follows. No thank you!

Aug 4, 2009 11:50 AM

Guest :

I agree generally with the research results from my own experience. As an self-confessed introvert I definitely agree with the suggested antidote being a conscious attempt to being more extroverted. The introvert, having her attention habitually on interior objects, thoughts specifically, by definition is in a semi-retreat from the exterior mode and therefore may suffer difficulty in the external world, especially in social situations. Discomfort is associated with the exterior unconsciously, and is unquestionnably confirmed and solidified with every stressful social interaction. The pattern must become more complex as time goes by. From my own limited experience in the last few years the practice of consciously placing my attention out onto the world and people in itself is very helpful as it provides some stability that the habitually introverted mind may lack. Situations will automatically become less stessful. Another result of this conscious extroversion (which of course flashes back and forth) is that when the attention is out in the world it is not in the realm of thoughts which may not always be positive especially in social or stressful situations. Another thing is the unconscious negative labelling of the exterior which may be countered to some degree by positive relabelling. All I can say is that as a method it has been helpful to me and after just a few years trying to practice it as much as I can I have seen positive effects in my life, and a feeling of function increasing. I hope this is a little helpful to someone.