ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCHES AND STUDIES
No: 15

THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS ON LIFESTYLE

Mariana Floricica CĂLIN (1), Mihaela RUS (2), Mihaela Luminița SANDU (3) Mihai ȘTEFĂNOAIA(4)
Keywords: influence, traits, personality, lifestyle.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26758/15.1.21

(1), (3) Department of Psychology and Social Work, “Ovidius” University of Constanța, Romania; e-mail: fmarianacalin@gmail.com (1), mihaela_naidin@yahoo.com (3)

(2) Faculty of Law and Administrative Sciences, Ovidius University of Constanța, Romania; Institute of Psychology and Philosophy of the Romanian Academy; e-mail: psiholog_m@yahoo.com

(4) Faculty of Law and Administrative Sciences, Ștefan cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania; e-mail: stefanoaiamihai@yahoo.com

Address correspondence to:  Mihaela RUS, Faculty of Law and Administrative Sciences, Ovidius University of Constanța. Ph.: +40740906986; E-mail: psiholog_m@yahoo.com

Abstract

Objectives. The study explores how some traits of personality like conscientiousness, extraversion, and emotional stability may influence the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. Conscientious individuals engage in consistent health behaviors, extroverts are more socially active in maintaining health, and emotionally stable individuals manage stress better, promoting overall healthier lifestyle choices.

Material and methods. The study included 100 participants (47 men and 53 women, aged 18 to 61). The tools used were interviewing to identify health behaviors and the „Five-Factor Personality Inventory – FFPI” questionnaire to assess personality traits.

Results. Statistical analyses included tests of normality and Spearman correlation. Results: The analysis revealed a positive correlation between a healthy lifestyle and conscientiousness (r = 0.220, p < 0.05), indicating that more conscientious people adopt healthy behaviors more easily. A positive correlation was also found between healthy lifestyle and extraversion (r = 0.273, p < 0.01), suggesting that extroverts are more socially and physically active, but may be prone to risky behaviors. Emotional stability was also positively correlated with a healthy lifestyle (r = 0.351, p < 0.01), showing that people with better stress management adopt more effective healthy behaviors.

Conclusions. The study confirms that the personality traits significantly influence how individuals adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Conscientiousness leads to the adherence of the structured routines, extraversion promotes the engagement in social and group activities, and emotional stability aids in stress management, reducing unhealthy behaviors. These findings emphasize the importance of personalized health strategies tailored to individual personality profiles, enhancing the effectiveness of health behavior adoption and a long-term well-being.

Keywords: influence, traits, personality, lifestyle.

Suggested citation (APA)

Călin, M. F., Rus, M., Sandu, M. L., & Ștefănoaia, M. (2025). The influence of personality traits on lifestyle. Anthropological Researches and Studies, 15, 322-334. https://doi.org/10.26758/15.1.21

Introduction

Adopting a healthy lifestyle involves making informed decisions in various aspects of life, such as nutrition, physical activity, and mental health. It’s about achieving a general state of well-being, maintaining optimal energy levels, and living a fulfilling life.

The modern lifestyle is often associated with the unhealthy habits which may affect both physical and mental health. Lack of the regular physical activity and increased sedentary behaviors have become prevalent, thus increasing the health risks. Many people adopt diets high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats, but low in essential nutrients. The frequent consumption of the fast food and the addiction to the comfort food contributes to a poor nutrition, obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related health problems.

The pressures of the modern society increase the stress levels, which, in turn may lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as overeating, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of sleep. Substance abuse, including alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs, remains a major problem. These behaviors not only affect health, but also have negative consequences for the general well-being, the interpersonal relationships, and the social functioning.

All these aspects highlighted the need to allocate more resources, time, and attention to the study of the factors which may influence the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, as well as these ways able to provide personalized treatments in order to support the maintenance of these behaviors. The present work aims to define the concept of a healthy lifestyle, which may explain the notions of self-perception and personality, and may also explore, using a studied sample, the relationships between these variables.

Healthy lifestyle

Promoting health and adopting a healthy lifestyle is a topic of great importance in the field of health psychology. Changing individual behaviors in order to reduce the risk of health problems is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. According to the definition provided by the World Health Organization (1999), a healthy lifestyle is a way of living that reduces the risk of developing serious diseases or dying prematurely. Although not all conditions are preventable, a large proportion of deaths, particularly those from coronary heart disease and lung cancer, could be avoided. A healthy lifestyle is not only about avoiding the disease but also about achieving a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. Adopting such habits may also serve as a positive role model for the family members, especially children, helping to create a healthier growing environment.

A large study conducted by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health, “T. H. Chan,” investigated the impact of health habits on life expectancy using data from the “Nurses’ Health Study” and the “Health Professionals Follow-up Study.” These studies followed more than 78,000 women from 1980 to 2014 and more than 40,000 men from 1986 to 2014, providing 34 years of data for women and 28 years of data for men. The results indicated that people who adopted a healthy lifestyle, defined by five risk factors — non-smoker, a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m², at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity or vigorous exercise per day, a moderate alcohol consumption and a quality diet—had a 14-year longer life expectancy at age 50 for women and 12.2 years longer for men compared to those who did none of these factors (Li et al., 2018).

Therefore, a healthy lifestyle is based on five main factors:

Healthy diet: Includes eating beneficial foods such as fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, healthy fats, and omega-3 fatty acids, and limiting the processed foods such as sugar-sweetened beverages, trans fats, and sodium.

Regular physical activity: The recommended minimum is 30 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity per day.

Healthy body weight: Defined by a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m².

Not smoking: Avoiding smoking is essential for maintaining a good health.

Moderate alcohol consumption: It is defined as the consumption of 5 to 15 grams of alcohol per day for women and 5 to 30 grams per day for men.

These fundamental components help to reduce health risks and extend life expectancy while promoting the overall well-being.

 Effects of a healthy diet

Food is essential in people’s lives, and the desire to eat is a constant concern. Wansink and Sobal (2007) point out that people make over 200 food decisions daily, and food-related desires account for approximately one-third of all daily desires (Hofmann, Baumeister, Forster, & Vohs, 2012). In the course of its evolution, food became a source of pleasure, being vital for survival. Beyond its biological function, food is a significant social and cultural activity, providing aesthetic and community satisfaction. Nowadays, food is no longer just a source of pleasure, but also a cause for concern due to its potentially negative effects on health (Cornil & Chandon, 2016). The obesity epidemic in some countries has highlighted the risks associated with cheap, high-calorie foods that are widely available.

A significant proportion of the global population, including children and adolescents, is overweight, leading to an increased risk of chronic diseases (World Health Organization, 2021). This epidemic has intensified research into the health impact of overeating and obesity, and public awareness of the link between diet and health has increased. A healthy diet is essential for maintaining and improving overall health by providing essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, fiber, and energy (Lean, 2015). The exact composition of a balanced diet may vary according to the individual characteristics, culture, and food availability, but the fundamental principles of a healthy diet remain constant (World Health Organization, 2020). A diet of poor nutritional quality is characterized by high consumption of processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, unhealthy fats, and low intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains (Wirt & Collins, 2009).

The effects of a healthy diet on the brain are varied. Studies show that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids supports cognitive functions, while diets high in saturated fat are associated with decreased cognitive ability and increased risk of neurological dysfunction (McCann & Ames, 2005; Greenwood & Winocur, 2005). Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency may also be linked to an increased risk of mental disorders such as depression and schizophrenia (Freeman et al., 2006). Rodent studies have shown that a junk food diet may negatively affect the neuronal plasticity and the cognitive function, but antioxidants such as turmeric and vitamin E may counteract these effects (Molteni, R, Barnard, R.J, Ying, Z., Robert, C. K.,  Gomez-Pinilla, F. 2002; Wu et al., 2006).

The folic acid, another essential micronutrient, plays a crucial role in the brain function, and its deficiency may lead to some neurological disorders such as depression (Herbert, 1962). The field of the nutritional psychiatry explores the links between the diet and the mental health, revealing that the ”gut bacteria” may influence emotions and behavior through the serotonin production (Appleton, 2018; Naidoo, 2019). Probiotic consumption may improve mood and reduce anxiety, and diets rich in fermented foods, such as the Mediterranean diet, are associated with a lower risk of depression (Clapp, M., Aurora, N., Herrera, L., Bhatia, M., Wilen, E., & Wakefield, S., 2017; Zielińska,  Łuszczki, Michońska, & Dereń, 2022).

The personality

  1. Theories of personality

In psychology, the personality is defined and explained through various theories proposed by specialists over time. A general definition describes personality as a stable configuration of characteristics and behaviors that reflect an individual’s unique adaptation to the living environment, including the major traits, interests, drives, values, self-concept, skills, and emotional patterns.

Sigmund Freud exerted a major influence on the personality’s theory, being the author of the first formal theory in the field — psychoanalysis. Freud’s theory (Freud, 1923) described the structure of the human psyche in three components: the conscious, the preconscious, and the unconscious, which developped at the various stages of life. Freud emphasized the role of unconscious instincts in governing the human behavior, arguing that they are activated when bodily needs create impulses which demand a gratification in order to restore the internal balance.

Gordon Allport (1937, 1955) proposed a different approach, regarding the personality traits as having a causal force, described as neuropsychic structures which may influence the interpretation of stimuli and the adaptive behavior of individuals. Allport defined the personality as a “dynamic organization” of the internal psychophysical systems which determine characteristic thinking and behavior. This dynamic emphasizes that the personality is constantly developing but in an organized and coherent way.

Raymond Cattell (1950) developed a structure-based systems theory, seeing personality as an interconnected system with the environment, influenced by the surface traits (observable behaviors) and the source traits (fundamental dimensions of personality), established through the factor of analysis. Cattell contributed to the development of the 16-factor model of personality (16PF), essential in contemporary psychology (Cattell & Mead, 2001).

Hans Eysenck (1967, 1982) argued that the personality is a window to the brain, proposing three primary dimensions: extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism. These dimensions were measured by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ).

The “Big Five” model, later developed by Goldberg (1990) and McCrae and Costa (1999), summarizes the personality into five basic factors: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism (emotional stability), and openness to experience.

The cognitive theory views personality as being determined by various representations of the world and the individual’s place in it, emphasizing how people perceive, evaluate, learn, and make decisions. Albert Bandura (1999) emphasized the role of social learning and self-efficacy in the development of personality, while George Kelly (1955) proposed the theory of personal constructs, suggesting that personality results from how people anticipate and interpret events in their lives.

  1. Influences on Personality

One of the most studied factors influencing the personality is the genetic component. Research on twin pairs from various countries, such as Canada, Germany, and Japan, has identified the five-factor model of personality as a common trait inherited by the human species (Yamagata et al., 2006), these factors being stable throughout the childhood and into adulthood (Shiner, 2014). However, there is a general agreement among the researchers that, although the genetic inheritance may provide a predisposition for certain personality traits, it does not determine a clear destiny, their development being strongly influenced by environmental and social conditions, especially those of childhood (Schultz & Schultz, 2017).

Studies effectuated by Briley and Tucker-Drob (2014) and Kandler (2012) have demonstrated that, although genetic influences were more pronounced in the early life and even in the childhood, the environmental effects on the personality become increasingly relevant with age, shaping the behavior and the traits throughout the life. This idea has been supported by most of psychologists interested in the study of the personality; Allport, for example, noted that although the genetic basis constitutes the fundamental material of traits, this material being shaped by the social environment. Large-scale events, such as wars or pandemics, and personal experiences, such as divorce, the death of a loved one, or the birth of a child, may significantly have influence on an individual’s personality (Suttin, Costa, Wellington, & Eaton, 2010). Even the culture or the environment in which a person spends his/hers childhood, such as an economically disadvantaged neighborhood, may have an impact on the development of maladaptive personality traits, such as low resilience and problem behaviors, which may lead to some social difficulties and emotions later in life (Hart, Atkins, & Matsuba, 2008).

Learning is the fundamental mechanism by which the external influences were integrated into the personality’s structure. It has an essential role in the formation not only of each personality but also of the major life life’s goals. Inherited personality traits may be modified, enhanced, or inhibited through the learning process (Schultz & Schultz, 2017). Whether it is positive reinforcement, successive approximations, or superstitious behaviors, described by Skinner (1953), or about the social learning theory formulated by Bandura (1971), it is clear that the learning process plays a crucial role in the personality development.

Materials and methods

Objectives and assumptions

The main purpose of this paper was to explore how the personality traits influenced the adherence to a healthy lifestyle.

The hypotheses formulated in the research are the following:

There is a significant positive correlation between a healthy lifestyle and the conscientiousness.

There is a positive correlation between a healthy lifestyle and the extraversion.

There is a significant positive correlation between a healthy lifestyle and the emotional stability.

 Study participants

This study was elaborated on a sample of 100 participants, of which 47 men and 53 women, aged between 18 and 61 years, with an average age of 34.5 years.

Research tools

For this research, 2 tools were used, namely an interview created in order to identify the healthy lifestyle, the “Five-Factor Personality Inventory – FFPI” questionnaire for evaluating the five super factors from the Big Five model

The purpose of the interview is to question the participants about the behaviors they have incorporated into their lifestyles. It consists of 11 questions which were divided into categories.

Analysis and interpretation of results

Hypothesis 1. There is a significant positive correlation between the Healthy Lifestyle and the Conscientiousness.

Table 1

 Normality test Conscientiousness (Tests of Normality) (to see Table 1, please click here)

Applying the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test for the samples greater than 50 we may tell by the following the values from the table 2.5. that the Conscientiousness variable has a normal distribution. However, already knowing that the Healthy Lifestyle variable has a non-normal distribution, we continue our research by applying the Spearman test in order to find out if there is a correlation between the two variables.

Table 2

Spearman test result for Healthy Lifestyle and Conscientiousness (Correlations) (to see Table 2, please click here)

Figure 1

Point cloud for the variables Healthy Lifestyle and Conscientiousness (to see Figure 1, please click here)

The results of the test indicate the existence of a positive correlation between the two variables, although this is relatively weak, with a correlation coefficient of 0.220 and a p-value < 0.05, which confirms the second hypothesis, which assumed a positive link between the lifestyle, health and conscientiousness. Conscientiousness, one of the five major personality traits, is characterized by organization, responsibility, self-discipline, and goal orientation. People who score high on this trait tend to set specific health-related goals and follow them consistently by creating structured plans, adopting routines, and keeping commitments, thus making it easier to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors.

These individuals exhibit high levels of self-discipline and self-control, being better able to resist short-term temptations and make choices aligned with their long-term health and well-being. This is reflected in behaviors such as avoiding unhealthy foods, abstaining from the excessive alcohol or the substance use, and adhering to medical regimens. They are also more proactive in monitoring their health and taking preventive measures, such as scheduling regular check-ups and following medical advice, which can lead to early detection of health problems and preventive interventions that contribute to overall well-being.

In addition, conscientious people are often persistent and resilient in achieving their goals, even in the face of setbacks or challenges. In the context of a healthy lifestyle, occasional setbacks such as missed workouts or food indulgences do not deter them; on the contrary, they tend to learn from their mistakes and continue efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

A synthesis of the literature, including the 22 studies that looked at how the personality traits influence the healthy behaviors, they confirmed to us that the individuals with high levels of conscientiousness exhibit a higher self-efficacy, a self-motivation and also their self-control, which help them to adopt the healthiest behaviors, either physically or nutritionally (Wong, Ou, & Chung, 2022). Other studies have found significant correlations between the level of this trait and the healthy behaviors as well as diet self-efficacy in adult women. A high level of conscientiousness has also been found to be associated with a lower risk of disease and a better one on a long-term health (Obara-Gołębiowska & Michałek-Kwiecień, 2020). This connection was also confirmed by the studies carried out by Zolotareva et al. (2022) and by Lunn, Nowson, Worsley, & Torres, 2014), who showed that conscientiousness is associated with prosocial and health-promoting behaviors, such as avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption and adherence to the medical regimens. Emerging evidence also suggests that the high levels of conscientiousness may predict the adoption of some healthy dietary recommendations and other healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Hypothesis 2. There is a significant positive correlation between the Healthy Lifestyle and the Extraversion.

Table 3

Distribution normality test for the variable Extraversion (Tests of Normality) (to see Table 3, please click here)

After testing the normality of the Extraversion variable, which we have determined by the following Table 2.11 we found that we have a normal distribution with p = 0.200 > 0.05. We continue to investigate the hypothesis by applying a non-parametric Spearman test.

Table 4

Spearman test result for Healthy Lifestyle and Extraversion (Correlations) (to see Table 4, please click here)

Figure 2.

Point cloud for the Healthy Lifestyle and Extraversion variables (to see Figure 2, please click here)

The test results confirm the hypothesis that there is a positive correlation between the two variables, with a correlation coefficient of 0.273 and a p-value < 0.01. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a significant positive correlation between a healthy lifestyle and the extraversion personality traits.

People who score high on extraversion tend to enjoy social interactions and seek opportunities to be and stay connected with others. This trait may have a positive impact on their health, as such individuals are more inclined to participate in group activities, join sports teams, or take part in fitness classes that promote both physical activity and social involvement. Also, social support from friends and colleagues may encourage and motivate extroverts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In addition, these people often have more energy and are more physically active. However, the constant desire to socialize may also expose extroverts to risks, such as adopting unhealthy behaviors such as using tobacco, alcohol, or other substances.

The study by Yañez and his colleagues (Yañez, Bennasar-Veny, Leiva, & García-Toro, 2020) shows that individuals with a high extraversion score are more likely to participate in sports activities, with extraverted adolescents tending to exercise at least once a week. However, the same study highlights that these people are also more susceptible to tobacco and alcohol consumption.

These findings are also supported by the research carried out by Obara-Gołębiowska and Michałek-Kwiecień (2020), who demonstrated that extraversion is positively correlated with health behaviors and may act as a protective factor, being associated with a higher self-rated health status good in time. However, the same authors point out that extraversion can also be linked to risky healthy behaviors, such as the excessive alcohol and the tobacco consumption, the risky driving behaviors, and the risky sexual behaviors.

Thus, the extraversion personality trait may influence both positively and negatively the behaviors related to the prevention of diseases and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.

Hypothesis 3. There is a significant positive correlation between Healthy Lifestyle and Emotional Stability.

Table 5

Distribution normality test for the variable Emotional (Tests of Normality) (to see Table 5, please click here)

To establish the normality of the distribution of scores for the Emotional Stability factor, we apply a normality test. By following the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test values ​​we may confirm that this factor has a normal distribution with a p-value equal to 0.184 > 0.05. Next, we apply the non-parametric Spearman test to find out if there is a correlation between the variables Emotional Stability and Healthy Lifestyle.

Table 6

Spearman test result for Healthy Lifestyle and Emotional Stability (Correlations) (to see Table 6, please click here)

Figure 3

Point cloud for the Healthy Lifestyle and Emotional Stability variables (to see Figure 3, please click here)

The test results show that there is a significant positive correlation between the two variables, with a correlation coefficient of 0.351 and a p-value < 0.01, which confirms hypothesis number 3, which suggests a positive relationship between a healthy lifestyle and an emotional stability.

The emotional stability, also known as low neuroticism or emotional resilience, is a personality trait characterized by the ability to maintain the emotional calm and balance in the face of stress. People with a high level of this trait have effective stress management skills, being better prepared to deal with stressful situations, which contributes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They are more likely to participate in stress-reducing activities such as exercise, meditation, and relaxation techniques to effectively manage stress. The high emotional stability fosters an optimistic and resilient mindset, which may increase motivation to engage in healthy behaviors. These individuals also tend to perceive challenges as manageable and setbacks as temporary, all these helping them stay committed to their health goals.

Emotional stability is linked to the improved mental health, including reduced anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Individuals with high emotional stability are less inclined to be engaged in unhealthy coping behaviors like heavy drinking, substance misuse, or emotional eating. They are more likely to focus on self-care, use positive coping strategies, and seek support when necessary, all of which contribute to better mental well-being overall.

These findings are indirectly supported by studies showing that the neuroticism (the opposite of the emotional stability) is positively correlated with the alcohol consumption and smoking and negatively correlated with physical activity (Malouff, Thorsteinsson, Rooke, & Schutte, 2007; Munafo, Zetteler, & Clark, 2007; Wilson & Dishman, 2015). In their 2020 research, Obara-Gołębiowska and Michałek-Kwiecień confirmed that neuroticism is negatively correlated with general health behaviors and diet self-efficacy in the face of the negative emotional events. Studies of personality traits in obese individuals have shown significantly higher levels of neuroticism associated with emotionally driven binge eating (Armon, Melamed, Shirom, Shapira, & Berliner, 2013). In conclusion, a high level of trait neuroticism is a significant risk factor for a poor health.

Conclusion

The attached study emphasizes the influence of the personality traits on adherence to a healthy lifestyle, demonstrating that certain traits may facilitate or, on the contrary, make it difficult to adopt behaviors which could be beneficial to health.

First, the research revealed a significant positive correlation between a conscientiousness and a healthy lifestyle. People with a high conscientiousness tend to be organized, disciplined, and goal-oriented, which helps them to adopt and maintain healthy habits, such as planning meals, avoiding unhealthy temptations, constantly monitoring their health, and regularly participating in activities physical. These individuals are less likely to give in to momentary impulses and exhibit a superior ability to resist short-term temptations in favor of long-term benefits.

Second, a positive correlation was observed between the extraversion and a healthy lifestyle, suggesting that extroverted individuals are more inclined to engage in social and group activities, such as team sports or fitness classes, that support a healthy lifestyle active and healthy life. However, their desire to socialize can expose these individuals to unhealthy behaviors, such as excessive alcohol or tobacco use, due to social influence and the desire to conform to group norms.

Furthermore, this research has confirmed a positive correlation between an emotional stability and a healthy lifestyle. People with a high emotional stability demonstrate a greater ability to manage stress effectively and maintain an optimistic outlook, which helps them to adopt some positive health behaviors such as exercising, meditating, and avoiding unhealthy coping mechanisms. such as emotional eating or substance use.

In conclusion, personality traits such as conscientiousness, extraversion, and emotional stability significantly influence how individuals adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle, underscoring the importance of personalized healthy promotion strategies.

Competing interests

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relation-ships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Consent to participate

Informed written consent was obtained from each participant at the time of recruitment. The subjects were informed that they could withdraw from the study at any stage, and they were assured of confidentiality.

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