How do people respond to health news? The role of personality traits

When a patient receives a health diagnosis, their response (e.g., changes in behavior, seeking support) can have significant consequences for long-term health and well-being. Characteristics of health news are known to influence these responses, but personality traits have been omitted from this line of research. The current study examines the role of personality traits in predicting response to health news. Participants (N = 298) read scenarios in which they received health news that was manipulated to vary in severity, controllability and likelihood of outcomes. Participants then rated how likely they were to engage in a number of response behaviors. We examined the main effects and interaction of situational manipulations and personality traits on ratings of these behaviors. Both situations and personality traits influenced behavioral responses to health events. In particular, conscientiousness predicted Taking Action and Seeking Social Support. Neuroticism predicted both maladaptive and adaptive behavioral responses, providing support for the “healthy neurotic” hypothesis. Moreover, personality traits predicted best in weak (unlikely, controllable) situations. Both personality traits and situational characteristics contribute to behavioral responses to health news.