Background This was the first study aiming to develop a theory-based model to analyze the relation between conscientiousness and impaired physical health as well as between conscientiousness and subjective health-related well-being within a large clinical sample with depressive symptomatology. In addition, a mediating effect of health risk behaviors regarding the association between conscientiousness and objectively impaired physical health as well as subjective health-related well-being were exploratory examined. Methods Individuals with depressive symptoms (n = 943) with a mean age of 52 years (ranging between 20 and 78 years) undergoing intensive psychiatric rehabilitation treatment were investigated with the Big Five Inventory-10 as well as several self-report health questionnaires (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, Food-Craving Inventory and lifestyle questions assessing physical inactivity and alcohol consumption). Health-related well-being was measured using the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Assessment and the construct of impaired physical health comprised anthropometric measurements (Body Mass Index, Waist-to-Height-Ratio), blood lipids, and impaired physical performance capacity on the bicycle-ergometric test. Results Structural path analyses revealed that unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity partially mediated the negative relation between conscientiousness and impaired physical health as well as the positive relation between conscientiousness and health-related well-being. Limitations Possible limitations include cross-sectional study design, missing data, assessment of conscientiousness on a global level and self-report assessment of health risk behaviors. Conclusions The findings highlight the importance concerning the extended inclusion of personality aspects in the treatment of depression in order to improve health.
Full Text via ClinicalKey