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Is Healthy Neuroticism Associated with Health Behaviors? A Coordinated Integrative Data Analysis
Eileen K Graham1, Sara J Weston2, Nicholas A Turiano3
1Northwestern University, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA.
Collabra. Psychology
|December 23, 2020
Summary
Healthy neuroticism, the interplay of neuroticism and conscientiousness, influences health behaviors. High conscientiousness may mitigate negative associations of neuroticism with smoking and physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Neuroticism is traditionally linked to negative health outcomes.
- Emerging research suggests neuroticism can be associated with positive outcomes in certain contexts.
- The concept of "healthy neuroticism" explores these nuanced associations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between "healthy neuroticism" and health behaviors.
- To examine the roles of neuroticism and conscientiousness in smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity.
- To determine if the interaction of neuroticism and conscientiousness predicts engagement in these health behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a pre-registered, multi-study coordinated integrative data analysis (IDA).
- Estimated identical statistical models across studies for optimal comparability.
- Meta-analyzed results to determine average effects and heterogeneity.
Main Results:
- Neuroticism alone was not significantly related to health behaviors.
- Conscientiousness was associated with reduced smoking and alcohol consumption, and increased physical activity.
- Significant interactions for smoking and physical activity indicated that high conscientiousness lessened the association between neuroticism and these behaviors.
Conclusions:
- "Healthy neuroticism" (the interaction of neuroticism and conscientiousness) shows a link to specific health behaviors.
- Conscientiousness appears to moderate the relationship between neuroticism and health behaviors.
- These findings are generalizable across diverse samples, supporting the concept of "healthy neuroticism".
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