Cynical Distrust Associated With High Dementia Rates

Cynical Distrust Associated With High Dementia Rates

A study conducted by the University of Eastern Finland showed a link between cynical distrust or the belief that people are motivated by selfishness with increased dementia rates. The study included nearly 1,500 people with an average age of 71. Finnish researchers gave out dementia tests while also asking participants some questions in order to determine their levels of cynicism.

To determine the cynicism of participants, researchers asked them for their level of agreement with statements like “it is safer to trust nobody” or “I think people lie to get ahead.”

The tests showed a number of 622 participants that had a link between dementia and cynicism while a further 1,146 people showed a link between mortality and cynicism.

No link was found between dementia and cynical distrust when just age and sex were the factors the study was adjusted for, however, after including cardiovascular risk factors, researchers came up with a 2.54 times higher risk of dementia development for the most cynical participants than for those that proved to be less cynical.

This isn’t the only study to associate cynicism with health problems, particularly heart disease. A 2009 study showed women with higher rates of cynicism and hostility were more likely to die in an 8 year period than those who were less cynical. A 2007 study also showed an association between cynical distrust and inflammation, a condition that often leads to heart disease.

Posted by George Daniels on Sunday June 01 2014, 12:14 AM EST. Ref: heraldsun. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0