Personality, Preventive Health Behaviour and Comparative Optimism about         Health Problems.
The aim was to test a model whereby personality influences preventive health                 behaviour which in turn influences comparative optimism about possible future health                 problems. Students (N 5 150) completed measures of personality                 (five-factor), preventive health behaviour and comparative optimism. The model was                 tested using structural equation modelling with observed variables. In the final                 model, agreeableness and conscientiousness had positive main effects and an                 interactive effect upon preventive health behaviour. Preventive health behaviour had                 a positive effect upon comparative optimism. In addition, extraversion had a direct                 positive effect (not mediated by preventive health behaviour) upon comparative                 optimism. It is speculated that agreeableness and conscientiousness combine to                 produce a general regard for social convention that is conducive to healthier                 behaviour. The effect of extraversion is explicable in terms of positive                 affectivity.
University of Wales, Bangor, UK.
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Ingledew
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Brunning