Personality traits and healthcare use: A coordinated analysis of 15 international samples

Abstract

Some people use healthcare services more than others. Identifying factors associated with healthcare use has the potential to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of healthcare. In line with the Andersen behavioral model of healthcare utilization and initial empirical findings, personality traits may be key predisposing factors associated with healthcare use. Across 15 samples, the present study examined cross-sectional and prospective associations between Big Five personality traits and the likelihood of dental visits, general medical practitioner visits, and hospitalizations. Using coordinated data analysis, we estimated models within each of 15 samples individually (sample Ns ranged from 516 to 305,762), and then calculated weighted mean effect sizes using random effects meta-analysis across samples (total N = 358,803). According to the synthesized results, people higher in conscientiousness, agreeableness, extraversion, and openness, and lower in neuroticism were more likely to visit the dentist; people higher in neuroticism were more likely to visit general medical practitioners; and people lower in conscientiousness and agreeableness and higher in neuroticism were more likely to be hospitalized. Associations tended to be small with odds ratios around 1.20 (rs ≈ .05). These findings provide evidence across 15 international samples for small but consistent associations between personality traits and healthcare use and demonstrate that personality-healthcare associations differ by type of care. We discuss directions for future research, including examining more specific personality facets (e.g., productiveness vs. responsibility) as well as important dimensions of healthcare (e.g., preventative vs. reactive care; acute vs. chronic care).