Personality, Risk Perceptions, and Health Behaviors: A Two-Wave Study on Reciprocal Relations in Adults

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine reciprocal associations between risk perceptions for cardiovascular disease and health behaviors (i.e., physical activity, fruit/vegetable consumption), while accounting for key personality characteristics in middle-aged adults. Participants (N = 297; M (SD) age = 51 (6.95); 72.4% female) completed online questionnaires assessing risk perceptions, physical activity, fruit/vegetable consumption, and personality (conscientiousness and neuroticism) on two occasions, one week apart. Physical activity did not have a statistically significant effect on risk perception over time (b = −0.00, p = 0.227). However, fruit and vegetable consumption (b = −0.19, p = 0.006) and neuroticism (b = 0.22, p = 0.001) predicted risk perception. Risk perception did not have a significant effect on physical activity (b = −343.86, p = 0.147) or fruit/vegetable consumption (b = −0.08, p = 0.144) over time; however, neuroticism had significant and negative effects on physical activity (b = −520.84, p = 0.029) and fruit/vegetable consumption (b = −0.20, p = 0.001). High levels of neuroticism in middle age may hinder engagement in physical activity and consumption of fruit/vegetable behaviors and should therefore be targeted accordingly to increase protective health behaviors and reduce incidence of cardiovascular disease.