Personality and metabolic dysfunction in young adulthood: A cross-sectional study. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sutin, Angelina R; Stephan, Yannick; Terracciano, Antonio
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 24:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 495
• Page End: 501
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Conscientiousness -- lifespan health -- metabolic dysfunction -- Neuroticism -- personality; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105316677294
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

This research used the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health ( N = 15, 359; age range 25–34) to examine the cross-sectional relation between personality and four components of metabolic syndrome (elevated glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, and waist circumference) and a metabolic risk index in young adulthood. Consistent with research on older adults, higher Neuroticism and lower Conscientiousness were associated with greater risk of metabolic dysfunction; Agreeableness, however, was unrelated to it. The relation between personality and metabolic health may unfold across the lifespan, with the association between Neuroticism/Conscientiousness and metabolic dysfunction starting early and the association with Agreeableness emerging at older ages.