THE character and disposition of us Cardis shows “significantly high” levels of neuroticism, according to a controversial new study.

The conclusions of a research paper into the psychology of residents of former mining regions - in the 19th century Cardiganshire was an important source of lead and silver - suggests that large numbers of Ceredigion residents are grumpy, anxious and depressed.

By looking at almost 400,000 personality tests, Dr Jason Rentfrow, from Cambridge University, says he found inhabitants of Ceredigion had more “negative” personality traits.

As well as being more depressed, they were more impulsive, neurotic, poorer at planning, less satisfied with their lives and less conscientious.

In contrast, low levels of neuroticism emerged throughout the South West and much of southern England, as well as across most of Scotland, suggesting that a disproportionate number of residents of these areas were calm, relaxed, and emotionally stable.

Dr Rentfrow reckons that this is a reflection of more than just present economic circumstances.

Instead, he argues in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that this was a legacy of the first people who moved to towns in Wales seeking work in the mines and factories.

Key to the theory, which other psychologists dispute, is “selective migration”.

Those coming to the towns would have been pushed to do so out of poverty, moving their families owing to necessity.

They would have, the researchers argue, high levels of “psychological adversity” which they may have passed on to their children by socialising them to be more anxious and worried.

This culture would have been compounded by difficult and dangerous work, child labour and poor living conditions.

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