ABSTRACT
Personality factors and individual differences in emotional adjustment have robust associations with health and well-being, chronic disease incidence, and mortality risk. The current chapter provides an overview of personality assessment and emotional adjustment, outlining key theoretical and methodological considerations. Using the Five Factor Model of personality as an organizing framework, associations with health outcomes are described with a focus on exemplar meta-analyses and studies utilizing large, nationally-representative samples. The relevance of personality science to the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine (i.e., healthful eating, physical activity, stress management, relationships, sleep, and substance use) are then discussed. The reviewed literature suggest that personality-health associations should be at the forefront of public health research and integrated into lifestyle intervention.
