Healthy neuroticism is associated with perceived health and chronic conditions, but not associated with health behaviors in Turkish middle-aged and older adults

Abstract

Neuroticism is generally associated with poor health outcomes. However, it is suggested that this relationship may yield more positive outcomes when interacting with high levels of conscientiousness, referred to as “healthy neuroticism.” Findings on this concept are mixed and not been sufficiently explored in non-WEIRD societies. With a sample of middle and older adults from Turkey (N=617; Mage =58.54, SDage = 6.76) this study tested healthy neuroticism predicting health behaviors (tobacco and alcohol use, physical activity), general health perception, and chronic illness status. Analyses related to health behaviors did not support healthy neuroticism, while significant interactions were present for general health perception and chronic illness status. High levels of neuroticism were associated with poorer general health and a higher likelihood of chronic illness, but the strength of these associations decreased at higher levels of conscientiousness. Interaction analyses indicated that high conscientiousness mitigated the negative effects of neuroticism, providing partial support for healthy neuroticism. These findings suggest that conscientiousness may buffer the negative health effects of neuroticism. However, since this buffering effect does not entirely reverse the negative impact of neuroticism, it may be more appropriate to refer to this interaction as “healthier neuroticism” rather than “healthy neuroticism.”