Can conscientiousness predict engagement with UK health behaviour guidelines?

Abstract

Background: There is growing evidence for a relationship between conscientiousness and health behaviours. However, it is unclear whether conscientious individuals meet health behaviour guidelines or are simply ‘healthier’ than their counterparts. Furthermore, a focus on individual health behaviours has lead to a lesser understanding of conscientiousness and healthy lifestyles more generally. Therefore, this study examined conscientiousness alongside engagement with a number of important health behaviours. Methods: 879 adults completed an online questionnaire measuring conscientiousness, its lower order facets, and the behaviours smoking, alcohol intake and fruit and vegetable consumption. Findings: Analyses revealed that total conscientiousness and its facets were positively associated with adherence to guidelines for each of the behaviours – and with an overall guideline adherence index. The results also identified the facet of industriousness as being the most important predictor of adherence. Discussion: Low conscientiousness individuals appear to be less likely to engage in recommended health behaviour guidelines and this cumulative effect may have a significant impact on their health. This suggests that those low in conscientiousness may be a vulnerable population and require further assistance to meet guidelines.