Associations between hardiness, C-reactive protein, and telomere length among former prisoners of war.

Abstract

Background: War captivity and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are known to be associated with several poor health outcomes of an accelerated aging process. However, the contribution of personality protective factors to this phenomenon are rarely studied. The present 24-year prospective study examined associations between psychological hardiness and three health outcomes: C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and telomere length (TL). Method: Eighty-eight Israeli former prisoners of war (ex-POWs) were assessed 18 (T1) and 42 (T2) years after repatriation. Data on hardiness was collected at T1 while leukocyte TL, CRP, and MetS data was collected 42 years after the war. Results: While adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), self-rated health, depressive and PTSD symptoms at T2, higher levels of hardiness at T1 predicted decreased CRP and longer TL at T2. Conclusions: Long-term health vulnerabilities of traumatized ex-POWs are manifested in an accelerated aging process and cellular senescence. Raising awareness of the importance of protective factors such as veterans' hardiness might be associated with improving their longevity and well-being.

Associations among temperament characteristics and telomere length and attrition rate in early childhood.

“…These findings are supported by research in adults that suggests that disruptions in physiological stress reactivity may be responsible for associations of psychological characteristics with telomere length (Dolbier et al, 2001; Huzen et al, 2010; Sandvik et al, 2013; Wolkowitz et al, 2011; Zerach et al, 2020). For example, negative personality characteristics have been associated with higher levels of systemic inflammation and increased oxidative stress, and positive characteristics have been associated with more optimal functioning of stress-related biological systems (Dolbier et al, 2001; Huzen et al, 2010; Sandvik et al, 2013; Zerach et al, 2020). Some have posited that positive personality characteristics dampen activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA axis, having downstream effects on telomere attrition rate (Zerach et al, 2020).…”

“…More specifically, personality traits characterized by elevated negative affectivity (e.g., higher neuroticism, negative affectivity, social inhibition, interpersonal sensitivity, defensiveness, pessimism; lower agreeableness) have been associated with shorter telomere length or greater telomere erosion over time (O’Donovan et al, 2009; Schoormans et al, 2018; Starnino et al, 2016; Suzuki et al, 2017; van Ockenburg et al, 2014). Conversely, positive psychological dispositional traits (e.g., greater optimism, conscientiousness, hardiness, harm avoidance) have been associated with longer telomere length (Sadahiro et al, 2015; Schutte et al, 2016; Zerach et al, 2020). Moreover, one study showed that conscientiousness in childhood predicted longer telomere length 40 years later (Edmonds et al, 2015).…”

“…For example, negative personality characteristics have been associated with higher levels of systemic inflammation and increased oxidative stress, and positive characteristics have been associated with more optimal functioning of stress-related biological systems (Dolbier et al, 2001; Huzen et al, 2010; Sandvik et al, 2013; Zerach et al, 2020). Some have posited that positive personality characteristics dampen activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA axis, having downstream effects on telomere attrition rate (Zerach et al, 2020). Together, these data suggest that psychological characteristics, beginning in childhood, may influence telomere biology via individual differences in physiological stress reactivity.…”

“…Conversely, positive psychological dispositional traits (e.g., greater optimism, conscientiousness, hardiness, harm avoidance) have been associated with longer telomere length (Sadahiro et al, 2015;Schutte et al, 2016;Zerach et al, 2020). Moreover, one study showed that conscientiousness in childhood predicted longer telomere length 40 years later (Edmonds et al, 2015).…”

Effect of Radiation on Aging Processes and Telomere Length

“…Factors accelerating telomere aging are numerous: inflammatory mediators, CRP (C reactive protein) [33,34], depression [35], high levels of oxidized LDL (low density lipoprotein) [36], etc.…”