Effect of personality traits on socioeconomic inequalities in health, a population‐based study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the effects of positive personality traits (PTs) in income and self-rated dental and general health (SRDH and SRGH) associations in a large South Australian sample. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using self-reported data collected from 3578 adults (2015–2016). Multivariable regression models assessed the main effects and interactions of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) and income with SRDH and SRGH. Prevalence ratios (PR) of poor health ratings were estimated using Poisson regression. Results: Among all respondents, high-income individuals with stronger Conscientiousness scores had the lowest prevalence of poor SRGH (0.8%), while those with stronger Extraversion (2.9%) and Agreeableness scores (3.4%) had the lowest prevalence of poor SRDH. Poor SRGH was related to weak Conscientiousness (PR = 6.9, 95% CI [2.3–20.8]) and Emotional Stability scores (PR = 6.0, 95% CI [2.0–18.3]), while poor SRDH was associated with weak Extraversion (PR = 2.3, 95% CI [1.2–4.5]), Agreeableness (PR = 1.8, 95% CI [1.0–3.2]) and Conscientiousness scores (PR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.1–4.0]). Among low-income people, poor health ratings were less prevalent in those with stronger positive PTs scores versus weaker scores. Among low-income respondents, poor SRGH was lower in individuals with stronger versus weaker Conscientiousness scores (10.9% vs 16.2%), and poor SRDH showed lower prevalence in participants with stronger versus weaker Agreeableness scores (18.1% vs 22.6%). Conclusion: Findings showed the association between PTs and the prevalence of poor SRDH and SRGH. Stronger positive PTs modified the self-rated health inequalities associated with low income in a representative sample of the South Australian population.