Five-factor model personality traits and inflammatory markers: new data and a meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Biomedical Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Personality traits are associated with health outcomes.
• Systemic inflammation, indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), is a risk factor for various diseases.
• The relationship between major personality dimensions and systemic inflammation requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between the five major personality dimensions and systemic inflammation.
• To analyze new data on CRP from three large national adult samples.
• To conduct a meta-analysis of published studies on CRP and IL-6.

Main Methods:

• Utilized new data from three large national adult studies (N=26,305).
• Performed a meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines on published CRP (N=34,067) and IL-6 (N=7538) studies.
• Controlled for covariates such as smoking and body mass index.

Main Results:

• Higher conscientiousness was consistently associated with lower CRP levels across new samples.
• Individuals in the lowest quartile of conscientiousness had up to a 50% increased risk of elevated CRP.
• Meta-analysis supported associations between conscientiousness and CRP/IL-6, and openness and CRP; no links found for neuroticism, extraversion, or agreeableness.

Conclusions:

• Conscientiousness shows a modest but consistent association with a more favorable inflammatory profile.
• This link between conscientiousness and lower inflammation may explain its role in promoting better health.
• Personality traits, particularly conscientiousness, represent a potential target for health interventions.