University Health Assignment: Personality Traits and Health

This essay delves into the significant impact of personality traits on various aspects of health and well-being, focusing on health advancement and promotion. It explores how personality types influence pain perception, health choices, and responses to stress. The essay examines the five major personality traits (Neuroticism, Extroversion, Conscientiousness, Openness, and Agreeableness) and their correlations with health behaviors, such as dietary habits, alcohol consumption, and exercise. Furthermore, it discusses the causes of stress, including personal, job-related, and traumatic factors, alongside individual responses to stress based on personality types, self-efficacy, and hardiness. Coping strategies, both adaptive and maladaptive, are also analyzed. Finally, the essay presents data on life chances in relation to health issues, highlighting the disparities between rich and poor countries and the influence of policies aimed at improving life opportunities through education and early intervention. The essay draws on research from WHO and other sources to support its arguments.

Personality Traits 1
PERSONALITY TRAITS
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HEALTH ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION
Introduction
The personality type of a person has a huge impact on their health. One’s personality can
determine their general well-being, in that; it might make them live longer or draw them closer to
the grave (Moodie and Hulme, 2004, p. 23). Personality can prevent heart diseases or increase
chances of getting them. It can determine how fast one recovers from an illness due to one’s
attitude towards the illness. Under health behaviors, we are going to focus on how personality
types affect pain perception and health choices that individually makes. This paper focuses on
issues surrounding health advancement and promotion.
1.1 Personality traits in regard to pain perception and health choices adoption
Most, if not all, of us, have experienced painful moments in one form or another. It could be an
injection, a headache, broken bone, or any form of physical accident, including an electric shock.
The way we respond to any kind of pain differs among individuals. There are some who will
help, while others will barely show it and might react with just wincing. The personality type of
a person is among the factors that determine an individual’s tolerance towards pain.
Studies indicate that individuals with a high score in neuroticism are more sensitive to pain and
thus less tolerant (Moodie and Hulme, 2004, p. 30). Personality traits also determine how people
respond to pain relief. According to Dorit Pud, individuals with a high score on ‘harm
avoidance,' are more responsive to morphine when used as a cold presser.
Personality is not only restricted to determining peoples’ sensitivity to acute pain. It also helps to
determine the conditions of chronic pain in older adults. Youths who score high on hysteria,
femininity (for male only) and paranoia (female only) are more likely to experience conditions of

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chronic pain in their middle age. Studies show that patients with a chronic pain score high on
‘harm avoidance’ and low on ‘self-directedness’ as well as ‘cooperativeness.' The patients also
scored high on state anxiety and depression, with 41% personality disorder.
After an injury, it is expected that one would take relax and take a rest. However, people who
score high in ‘harm avoidance’ tend to extend the resting period, even after healing. Chronic pain
patients have also been identified to have a sense of lower self-efficacy. They tend to feel
helpless about their condition and are not convinced that they can overcome it. When it comes to
treating chronic pain patients, it is important to incorporate both pharmacologic and
psychotherapeutic measures so as to control the condition.
Personality traits form the basis of individual choices when it comes to choices to do with
healthy ways of living (Lawton, 2008, p.23). It is hard to change one’s personality; therefore,
personality largely determines one’s health behaviors. There are five major personality types,
and we are going to use them to determine the relationship between personality and health
choices.
 Neuroticism- people with this trait are likely to eat foods with high calories so as to
manage their negative emotions.
 Extroversion- individuals with this trait are more likely to take alcohol, possess multiple
partners of sex and smoke cigars. These individuals are liked to eat out with varieties of
people, hence consuming unhealthy foods.
 Conscientiousness- individuals with this kind of personality are more likely to eat more
vegetables and fruits, exercise often, put on safety belts, avoid any harm caused by
alcohol and sleep enough. Such individuals are less likely binge drink, smoke cigarettes

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and take alcohol. Lack of conscientiousness may cause people to lose control over what
they eat and how they eat. They may thus be easily tempted with smell and taste.
 Openness- people who are more open tend to stick to a specific lifestyle, mostly a healthy
one.
 Agreeableness- people with this kind of personality are quick to please others and thus
not consistent with a specific health behavior.
It is important for individuals to understand their personalities, strengths, and weaknesses so as
to avoid unhealthy behaviors. People will be more focused on being healthy not just to impress
but so as to feel their worth. Moreover, individuals will understand the extent of tolerating pain
so as not to be a burden to other people.
2.1 Causes of stress
There are different causes of stress. There are short-term causes of attending a job interview or
having an exam (Lawton, 2008, p.40). Such kinds are normal and elapse once the ordeal is over.
However, the long-term causes can cause serious health issues, if not managed properly.
i) Stress due to personal issues
 Health- chronic diseases like diabetes and heart diseases can cause stress.
 Relationships- lack of support or proper friendship can cause stress
 Family- taking care of an elderly person with health issues and misunderstandings in the
family can lead to stress.
 Emotional problems- guilt, depression, low self-esteem, grief and anger that can’t be
expressed can cause stress.

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 Changes in life- losing a job, the death of a loved one, moving to a new place and getting
married, can all contribute to stress.
 Conflicting values and beliefs- you may have certain values like exercising, but may not
get the time to do it.
ii) Stress due to job and social matters
 Environment- living in an area with unfavorable conditions like pollution, crime, and
noise.
 Job- demanding jobs and doing a job that you do not like.
 Social situation- loneliness, facing discrimination and financial problems can lead to
stress.
 Unemployment- lacking a job or losing one’s job can cause stress.
 Stress due to traumatic situations
 Traumatic experiences like war or rape can cause acute stress disorder.
2.2 Individual response to stress and coping mechanisms
Each individual is unique and has a different kind of personality. Each of us goes through
experiences in life that vary from one person to the other. Life experiences largely determine
how individuals respond to stress. Self-efficacy, the personality of a person and hardiness, also
determine response to stress by individuals.
i) Personality
There are two basic personality types: Type A and B. Type A behavior tend to desire for
development, is competitive, loves attention, desires to achieve goals and thus is likely to rush so

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as to complete their tasks. Such people are alert and active physically and mentally. Type B, on
the other hand, lacks urgency, drive, motivation, ambition, and competitiveness. Such a person is
usually non-competitive, calm and relaxed. Type C combines both Type A and B, in that a
person is ambitious and hardworking, but apathetic when dealing with stress. Research shows
that Type B personality deals with stress better as compared to Type A personality.
ii) Self efficacy
This refers to how people perceive themselves when handling stress. Research shows that
individuals with high self-efficacy have less negative stress feelings as they feel they control the
stressful situation (Heidenreich, Prüter, 2009, p.7) . Low self efficacy increases the inability to
deal with stress due to strong feelings of negativity towards stress.
iii) Hardiness
Hardy people have the 3 Cs: Challenge, Control, and Commitment. They perceive themselves to
be managers of their kind of environment and not vice versa. Such people view change as a
challenge, and not a threat. They are determined to find resolutions to problems, instead of
whining about them. Research shows that hardy individuals rarely fall sick and this can be
attributed to their positive stress management.
Coping strategies
Coping strategies are ways in which stress is acted on, managed or adapted to. Some coping
mechanisms are maladaptive and thus regarded as non-coping as they do not deal with the stress
but simply copes with it (Heidenreich, Prüter,2009, p.20) . Some of the coping strategies are as
follows:

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 Adaptive- refers to tolerating stress, i.e., altruism
 Attack- diverting a person’s attention to people instead of the stressor. i.e., emotionality
and displacement.
 Defense- coping with stress unconsciously, i.e., regression and reaction.
 Avoidance- staying away from the stress, i.e., denial, fantasy, and dissociation.
 Cognitive- changes the way of thinking so as to reduce stress, e.g., repression and
intellectualization
 Conversion- changes an emotion or thought into another, e.g., somatization.
 Behavioral- changes our actions so as to reduce stress, i.e., undoing and compensation.
 Self-harm- responding to stress by harming yourself, i.e., introjections.
3.1 Data on life chances in regard to health issues
According to research, people are living longer everywhere (WHO, 2014). For instance, a female
child born in 2012 can be expected to live up to 73 years, and 68 years for a male child. The
result indicates six years longer than the life expectancy of a child who was born in 1990.Low-
income countries have also progressed and thus increased life expectancy by a margin of 9 years
in 2012 when compared to the year 1990. Comparing the year 1990 and 2012, some of the
countries that experienced a high increase in life expectancy include Liberia (42-62 years),
Ethiopia (45-64), Maldives (58-77 years), Cambodia (54-72 years), Timor-Leste (50-66 years)
and Rwanda (48-65 years).
One of the main reasons why there is an increase in life expectancy is the fact that there is a
reduction in the death of children below five years of age (Guo, 2016, p.5). However, the gap
between the rich and poor still has an impact on the life chances of people. The rich are likely to
live longer than the poor.

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The rich and poor gap
A male child born in a rich country in 2012 has the chance of living 16 years longer compared to
his counterpart in a poor country (76 years and 60 years). For female children, the gap is even
greater (19 years), that’s, 82 years in comparison to 63 years. Women usually live longer than
men. In rich countries, the gap is six years, while in poor countries, it is three years. Lower life
chances in low-income countries are attributed to handling non-communicable diseases. High-
income countries have been successful in handling the diseases. Moreover, there has been a
success in handling stroke heart-related diseases, in rich countries. Reduction in tobacco use also
increases the life chances of people.
Key points from WHO research
 Major causes of death are attributed to stroke, coronary heart diseases, and pneumonia.
 Low-income countries experience more death cases due to infectious diseases (70%).
Cases of death high-income countries are mainly caused by injuries and
noncommunicable diseases (90%).
 In 2012, about 44 million (6.7%) of children below five years were obese, worldwide.
 Premature births contribute to high cases of death in children below five years (17.3%).
Pneumonia comes second with 15.2% of cases.
 Between years 1995 and 2012, 22 million lives were saved from tuberculosis, after
treating 56 million cases. However, 450 000 people developed tuberculosis that was
drug-resistant, in 2012.
3.2 Policies meant to improve life chances

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Life chances refer to the opportunities that a person has to improve his/her life. Such
opportunities include access to tangible goods (basic needs) and intangible goods (health care
and education). The idea of life chances revolves around inner satisfaction. Factors such as
ethnicity, social mobility, gender, social equity, and race determine a person’s future (Guo, 2016,
p.14). A person’s origin to a great extent determines the kind of neighborhood they will live in,
their class and the kind of people they will interact with. An unkempt neighborhood will affect
the health of the people, issues of crime and the kind of facilities that are available. A rich family
enhances one’s chances in life.
How to overcome bad chances in life
The major factor that can enable one to overcome issues to do with life chances is education. A
good education enables one to get a job and thus earn an income. Higher education increases
one’s chances of getting a high income and gaining occupational prestige, hence gain access to
more resources. Early intervention is key to promoting children’s life chances Blackstone, Prest
and Stern, 2016, p. 8). Groups like Save the Children promote the rights of the children born in
underdeveloped countries. One of the ways that they do that is by empowering parents of lower
classes with necessary skills and knowledge so that they can guide their children properly before
they join the school.
Such children are able to be on almost the same level like those from high-class families by the
time they join the school. Early intervention enables the children to learn at the same pace hence
safeguarding a high level of education. Consequently, they are able to improve their life chances.
Self-fulfilling prophecy also determines one’s life chances. A person’s social class may shape
their way of thinking, actions, and self-esteem (Blackstone, Prest, and Stern, 2016, p.10). A

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person of a low social class may be less concerned about improving their lives by studying hard
if they believe they belong to that class.
Apart from the personal efforts that one has to develop in order to improve life
chances, the government has a bigger part to play. The government through the various
ministries or departments will develop policies which will work in support of increasing life
chances especially to the less disadvantaged in the society. For instance, there are various
government policies which are already set that help boost life chances. Among them, we
have Revised Education policy, housing policy, anti-poverty policy and the improved health
policy.
The government education policy which supports education to all, provision of
scholarship to the needy students and the freedom to learn from any of the states in the
country or outside the country supports an increase in life chances (Berliner, 2013, pg. 23).
When children from the poor families are sponsored to further their education, it gives
them a brighter tomorrow that will increase their life chances. The health policy
implemented in the US also boost the life chances of individuals. For instance, Affordable
Care Act, which is a comprehensive care reform was imitated in 2010, it helps ensure
affordable health insurance to the people, reduces the general cost of health care and to
expand the Medicaid programs so that they can cover adults earning below 138% of the
federal poverty level (Berliner, 2013, pg. 23). This will help improve life chances as most
people will have access to health care services at affordable rates (Berliner, 2013, pg. 23).
The government is also seen to fight against reduced life chances by improving
employees’ national living wages (Gatti et al, 2016). Rising of the national wages will
facilitate most of the families attaining economic stability and will be able to manage

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themselves. In support of this, the government has also put in place a policy that reduces
the cost of living by regulating the cost in the private rented sectors, regulation of transport
cost by ensuring buses are affordable to all and finally regulating the low-income people
from experiencing higher pricing like in water and energy (Gatti et al, 2016).
4.1 Health promotion methods
Health promotion involves the process of empowering people to be able to control their health
and other determinants so as to improve the status of their health (Alliston, Kluge and Fudge,
2009, p. 7-9). It includes having a public policy that can address factors like employment,
housing, good working conditions, income and food security. Some of the methods that can be
employed include:
 Intervention categories-Identify major categories for interventions on public health.
Moreover, differentiate between strategies, interventions, and methods.
 Select the strategies and methods-Use factors such as effectiveness and evidence, various
community needs, cost, evidence, political expediency and best practice to explain the
principles that enable you to come up with methods of public health.
 Use media to promote awareness- use media to create awareness so as to influence the
various stakeholders on the importance of public health (Alliston, Kluge and Fudge,
2009, p. 12).
 Involve and mobilize communities- come up with plans that involve members of the
community and stakeholders in policy strategies, mobilization, and communication.
 Advocate for environmental change or some policies-find out strategies that can
encourage policy change in the community and organization.
 Communication- enhances skills that can promote health practices.

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4.2 Appropriate methods to conduct health campaigns
The success of a health campaign depends on the method employed to carry out the campaign.
Most of the time, a successful campaign employs more than one approach (Alliston, Kluge and
Fudge, 2009, p.20). The campaign aims at using diverse strategies at various levels so as to
influence the target group. For instance, you can employ use of media and advocacy for change
of policies
4.3 Success of health campaigns
A successful campaign should be able to meet the following:
 Educate people on health practices
 Change the behavior of an organization
 Change the physical and social environment
 Come up with policies that back up the changes
 Employ a number of strategies like posters, television advertisements, events, and
leaflets.
There should be:
 Motivation
 Skills to cause change
 Increase in knowledge
 A conducive environment that can favor the changes needed
The target group should have:
 Knowledge

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 Skills
 Motivation
 Previous experience
 Self-concept requirements to initiate change, i.e., self-efficacy
 The right attitude for change
 Understanding of the threat emanating from the unhealthy behavior
 Belief in better change
 Benefits of preventing the threat
 Factors that can arise from their decisions
There are various campaigns that have been done in order to help in increasing life
chances among individuals. Life chances mostly are reduced by the increased poverty, lack
of education, poor health services among many. The campaigns being done are able to help
eliminate this factors and thus increasing life chances. One of the major campaigns done in
America is the Community fatherhood Initiative. It is a non- profit organization that helps
to improve the well- being of children, mothers and family as a whole by the promotion of
responsible fatherhood (Pearlstein, 2011, pg. 142-144). The campaign helps to identify the
policies which prevent the male from attaining fatherhood in their families, to help men
understand their role in their families and finally to unite children with their fathers
(Pearlstein, 2011, pg. 142-144). Fathers are very critical in shaping the future of children
and improving their life chances. The life chances can be increased by the fathers
improving children’s behavioral and emotional problems, reducing infant mortality in
families, reducing poverty levels in families, reducing early parenthood from teens,
reducing alcoholism and drug abuse, giving quality education to the children and finally

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ensuring proper access to health care services by the family (Pearlstein, 2011, pg. 142-144).
All these factors are seen to boost the life chance of children and their mothers.
The effectiveness and success of these campaign in America are seen with the
reduced levels of poor families, reduced number of unschooled children, low number of
drug addicts and teen pregnancies. This campaign has generally increased the life chances
in most of the families in America.
Conclusion
Personality as a trait has a bigger role as far as health is concerned. Every
individual should work on their negativity towards health in order to achieve the best
results. Poverty, poor education, fragmented families are part of the factors that contribute
to reduced life chances. Richer families have increased life chances as compared to the poor
families. The government plays a critical role in ensuring that life chances are equal to each
and every citizen and setting policies that can enhance equality in life chances.

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