The Health Behavior Model of personality
Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation was to determine whether the Big Five personality traits predicted substance-use behaviors and mortality-risk over an approximate 12-year follow-up in the Midlife in the U.S. study. Study 1 documented higher levels of neuroticism, extraversion, and openness predicting increased substance use while higher levels of conscientiousness predicted a decreased risk. Moreover, higher levels of conscientiousness buffered the negative effects of neuroticism and extraversion. According to Study 2, higher levels of conscientiousness predicted a reduced hazard of dying over the 12-year follow-up and this effect was primarily explained by smoking behavior. Utilizing structural equation modeling techniques to test proportional hazards provided empirical support for the Health Behavior Model of personality. Personality influences health, at least in part, by the substance-use behaviors in which individuals engage.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Mroczek, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Behavioral psychology|Developmental psychology|Personality psychology
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