Health and personality predictors of psychological functioning in a 7-year longitudinal study

Abstract

Physical health is thought to be an important correlate of psychological well-being among both healthy and chronically ill adults. This study evaluated predictors of psychological well-being in a large-scale, 7-yr study, utilizing measures of personality, physical health, physical activity, and social support. The sample included 3084 adults (55% female) who participated in the Health and Lifestyle Survey (HALS), a British national survey of physical and mental health, attitudes, and lifestyle. All subjects were assessed by interview and self-report questionnaire at baseline (HALS1) and 7 yr later (HALS2). Mean age of the sample at HALS1 was 44.6 ± 15.1 yr (range: 18–87 yr). Psychological well-being was assessed with Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30). Other measures included the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI), self-rated health, body mass index, blood pressure and heart rate, walking activity, and social support. A series of multiple regression analyses was used to predict GHQ-30 scores at HALS2 from the various other variables measured at HALS1. Results indicated that neuroticism (from the EPI) was the best predictor of HALS2 psychological well-being, but extraversion and social support did not predict well-being. Self-rated health was the only health variable that entered the regression equations, and it appeared to attenuate somewhat the relationship of neuroticism with psychological well-being.