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Long-term relations of personality and health: dynamisms, mechanisms, tropisms.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Friedman, HS
Published in: J Pers
December 2000

There is now little doubt that individuals who are well-adjusted, socially stable, and well-integrated into their communities are at significantly lower risk for disease and premature mortality than those who are more unstable, impulsive, isolated, and alienated. The reasons for these associations, however, are complex and the pathways insufficiently studied. This article employs a life-span data set to explore how childhood personality relates to health-related growth and development (dynamisms), patterns of reactions and health behaviors (mechanisms), and movements toward and away from suitable environments (tropisms). Illustrations from the 7-decade Terman longitudinal data reveal important areas in which previous, cross-sectional research has misinterpreted associations between personality and health. In particular, Sociability has been overrated as a life-span health risk factor, Conscientiousness has been underrated, and Neuroticism has been confused. Without sufficient attention to the processes underlying the associations between personality and health, significant suboptimal allocations of intervention resources result.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

J Pers

DOI

ISSN

0022-3506

Publication Date

December 2000

Volume

68

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1089 / 1107

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • Social Adjustment
  • Personality Disorders
  • Personality Development
  • Neurotic Disorders
  • Middle Aged
  • Mental Disorders
  • Male
  • Longevity
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Friedman, H. S. (2000). Long-term relations of personality and health: dynamisms, mechanisms, tropisms. J Pers, 68(6), 1089–1107. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6494.00127
Friedman, H. S. “Long-term relations of personality and health: dynamisms, mechanisms, tropisms.J Pers 68, no. 6 (December 2000): 1089–1107. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6494.00127.
Friedman, H. S. “Long-term relations of personality and health: dynamisms, mechanisms, tropisms.J Pers, vol. 68, no. 6, Dec. 2000, pp. 1089–107. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/1467-6494.00127.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Pers

DOI

ISSN

0022-3506

Publication Date

December 2000

Volume

68

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1089 / 1107

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • Social Adjustment
  • Personality Disorders
  • Personality Development
  • Neurotic Disorders
  • Middle Aged
  • Mental Disorders
  • Male
  • Longevity
  • Humans