JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Internalising and externalising personality traits are robust risk factors for substance use and mental health, and personality-targeted interventions are effective in preventing substance use and mental health problems in youth. However, there is limited evidence for how personality relates to other lifestyle risk factors, such as energy balance-related behaviors, and how this might inform prevention efforts.

Objective:

This study aimed to examine concurrent, cross-sectional associations between personality traits (i.e., hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity, sensation seeking) and sleep, diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors, four of the leading risk factors for chronic disease, among emerging adults.

Methods:

Data were drawn from a cohort of young Australians who completed an online self-report survey in 2019 during early adulthood. A series of Poisson and logistic regressions were conducted to examine the concurrent associations between the risk behaviors (sleep, diet, physical activity, and sitting and screen time) and personality traits (hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity, and sensation seeking) at age 20.

Results:

A total of 978 participants (mean age=20.4 years, SD=0.5) completed the online survey. Results indicated that higher scores on hopelessness were associated with greater daily screen (RR=1.13 95% CI=1.11, 1.16) and sitting time (RR=1.06; 95% CI=1.04, 1.08), but less physical activity (RR=0.94; 95% CI=0.89, 0.99). Similarly, higher scores on anxiety sensitivity were associated with greater screen (RR=1.04; 95% CI=1.01, 1.07) and sitting time (RR=1.04 95% CI= 1.02, 1.07). Higher impulsivity was associated with greater physical activity (RR=1.19, 95% CI=1.13, 1.25) and screen time (RR=1.06, 95% CI=1.03, 1.08). Finally, higher scores on sensation seeking were associated with greater physical activity (RR=1.12, 95% CI=1.06, 1.19), and lower screen (RR=0.96, 95% CI=0.93, 0.98) and sitting time (RR=0.97, 95%CI=0.95, 0.99).

Conclusions:

Results suggest that personality should be considered when designing preventive interventions for lifestyle risk behaviors, particularly in relation to sedentary behaviors, such as sitting and screen time.