Can personality close the intention-behavior gap for healthy eating? An examination with the HEXACO personality traits. Issue 7 (2nd October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Monds, Lauren A.; MacCann, Carolyn; Mullan, Barbara A.; Wong, Cara; Todd, Jemma; Roberts, Richard D.
• Is Part Of: Psychology, health & medicine. Volume 21:Issue 7(2016)
• Page Start: 845
• Page End: 855
• Publication Date: 2016-10-02
• Subjects: Personality -- HEXACO -- theory of planned behavior -- healthy eating -- fruit and vegetables -- overweight; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2015.1112416
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-8506

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive and moderating effects of HEXACO personality factors, in addition to theory of planned behavior (TPB) variables, on fruit and vegetable consumption. American college students ( N = 1036) from 24 institutions were administered the TPB, HEXACO and a self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption measure. The TPB predicted 11–17% of variance in fruit and vegetable consumption, with greater variance accounted for in healthy weight compared to overweight individuals. Personality did not significantly improve the prediction of behavior above TPB constructs; however, conscientiousness was a significant incremental predictor of intention in both healthy weight and overweight/obese groups. While support was found for the TPB as an important predictor of fruit and vegetable consumption in students, little support was found for personality factors. Such findings have implications for interventions designed to target students at risk of chronic disease.