Relationships between five-factor personality traits and specific health-related personality dimensions

The relationships between 15 personality traits relevant for personalityhealth research were examined as well as their relationships with five-factor personality traits and two higher order alpha and beta factors. Factor analysis of the 15 healthrelated personality concepts yielded three broad components: Negative affectivity, Optimistic control and Passivity. Results indicate that three health-related components obtained and the majority of their measures could be moderately explained by the combination of five-factor personality traits. Extraversion, Neuroticism and Openness are represented in the health-related concepts much more than Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. Health locus of control and passivity showed the highest degree of independence from five-factor personality traits. Also, alpha factor is primarily related to low negative affectivity and beta factor to high optimistic control. The results suggest that five-factor and higher order alpha and beta factors are useful as a general framework for personality-health research, although there is also a need for using specific health-related personality measures.