Personality types and risky health behaviors in Norwegian students.

Full Abstract

Typological research has received increasing interest in recent years, but is still regarded as substandard by personality psychologists. The current investigation shows how a typological approach can enhance our understanding of the influence of personality on risky health behaviors. We focused on Torgersen's eight personality types that represent unique configurations of high and low Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Constraint (Vollrath & Torgersen, 2000). Participants were 606 Norwegian university students. Measures assessed personality factors, smoking, abuse of drugs and alcohol, drunk driving, and risky sexual behaviors. Results replicated earlier research showing that types combining either high Extraversion and low Constraint (Hedonists, Impulsives) or high Neuroticism and low Constraint (Insecures) engage in more risky health behaviors. The discussion focuses on demonstrating that the study of types is a valuable supplement to the dimensional tradition in personality psychology.

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Author information

Author/s: Vollrath, Margarete E (ME); Torgersen, Svenn (S);

Affiliation: Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway. margarete.vollrath@psykologi.uio.no

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Scandinavian journal of psychology (Scand J Psychol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 49 (issue 3) : pp 287-92

Dates: Created 2008/04/18; Completed 2008/07/10;

PMID: 18419592, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Alcoholism - psychology
Automobile Driving - psychology; statistics & numerical data
Extraversion (Psychology)
Female
Health Behavior
Humans
Impulsive Behavior - psychology
Internal-External Control
Male

Neurotic Disorders - psychology
Norway
Personality
Personality Inventory - statistics & numerical data
Risk-Taking
Sex Distribution
Smoking - psychology
Students - psychology
Substance-Related Disorders - psychology
Unsafe Sex - psychology; statistics & numerical data

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