Personality Characteristics as Predictors of Health Risk Behavior

ABSTRACT: This paper focuses on the relationship between personality, specifically the Big Five, and certain health risk behaviors. Health risk behaviors investigated include: violence, tobacco, alcohol, suicide, marijuana, disordered eating, risky sexual behavior, and other drugs. Researchers found many significant correlations between various personality dimensions and various health risk behaviors. Most notably, agreeableness correlated with more health risk behaviors than any other personality dimensions. Researchers also found significant gender differences in many of the health risk behaviors and three personality dimensions. Males participated in more violent acts, tobacco use, alcohol use, marijuana use, and other drug use when compared to females.