Personality and Health Behavior Intervention

Sep 1, 2023

Overview

This randomized controlled trial tests whether tailoring health behavior interventions to personality characteristics improves their effectiveness. We recruited 200 sedentary adults and assigned them to either a personality-matched intervention, a generic intervention, or a waitlist control group.

Intervention Components

Personality-Matched Condition

Participants received personalized feedback and strategies based on their Big Five personality profile:

High Conscientiousness: Structured goal-setting and scheduling tools
High Extraversion: Group exercise opportunities and social support
High Openness: Variety in exercise types and novel activities
High Neuroticism: Stress management and self-compassion exercises
High Agreeableness: Partner accountability and community motivation

Generic Condition

Standard physical activity recommendations and general motivation strategies.

Measures

Primary outcome: Physical activity (accelerometer data)
Secondary outcomes: Self-reported exercise, motivation, self-efficacy
Follow-up: 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention

Current Status

We completed data collection in Fall 2023 and are currently analyzing results. Preliminary analyses suggest that personality-matching improves adherence and outcomes, particularly for individuals high in neuroticism.

Implications

If successful, this intervention approach could be implemented in clinical and community settings to improve health behavior change outcomes by accounting for individual differences in personality.

Funding

Supported by a seed grant from the University Research Council.