History of the diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease is linked to normal variation in personality traits.
BACKGROUND
Stable individual differences in personality traits have well-documented associations with various aspects of health. One of the health outcomes that directly depends on people's behavioral choices, and may therefore be linked to personality traits, is having a sexually transmitted disease (STD).


OBJECTIVE
The study examines the associations between a comprehensive set of basic personality traits and past STD history in a demographically diverse sample.


METHODS
Participants were 2,110 Estonians (1,175 women) between the ages of 19 and 89 (mean age 45.8 years, SD = 17.0). The five-factor model personality traits (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness) and their specific facets were rated by participants themselves and knowledgeable informants. Sex, age, and educational level were controlled for.


METHODS
History of STD diagnosis based on medical records and/or self-report.


RESULTS
History of STD diagnosis was associated with higher Neuroticism and lower Agreeableness in both self- and informant-ratings. Among the specific personality facets, the strongest correlates of STD were high hostility and impulsiveness and low deliberation.


CONCLUSIONS
Individual differences in several personality traits are associated with a history of STD diagnosis. Assuming that certain personality traits may predispose people to behaviors that entail a higher risk for STD, these findings can be used for the early identification of people at greater STD risk and for developing personality-tailored intervention programs.
Department of Psychology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia, UK. rene.mottus@ut.ee
René
R
Mõttus
Anu
A
Realo
Jüri
J
Allik
Tõnu
T
Esko
Andres
A
Metspalu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002605:Character; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004957:Estonia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult