Rationality/antiemotionality personality and selected chronic diseases in a community population in Japan

Objective: To clarify the relationships of the rationality/antiemotionality (RIA) personality with past histories of seven chronic diseases and curren t smoking habits in a community population in Japan. Methods: A questionnai re survey was conducted of all residents aged 35 years old or over (n = 37, 287) in Takayama city, Gifu prefecture, Japan: the response rate was 90.3%. Data from 13,091 males and 14,061 females who completed all relevant quest ions were analyzed. The subjects were asked to complete an Ii-item RIA pers onality scale developed by Grossarth-Maticek et al. (1985). Past histories of seven major chronic diseases and current smoking habit were also asked i n the questionnaire. Results: Among males, the RIA scale score was signific antly lower in those who had stroke, diabetes or allergy than in those who did not. Among females, the R/A scale score was significantly lower in thos e who had stroke, allergy or stomach cancer than in those who did not. Amon g females, current smokers had significantly lower RIA scores than non-smok ers. After controlling for age, smoking and drinking, the R/A score was sig nificantly and negatively associated with stroke among males and females; i t was significantly and negatively associated with diabetes and allergy amo ng males. Conclusion: Our findings are contrary to those observed in Yugosl avia and West Germany, and suggest a cultural difference in the relationshi p between the RIA personality and disease occurrence. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence Inc. All rights reserved.