Personality correlates of health behaviors among men training recreationally in the interdisciplinary spirit of health pedagogy

The aim of the study was to identify the personality traits (according to the so-called Big Five personality model) in relation to healthy behaviour among amateur athletes. One hundred physically active men participated in the study. Health Behaviour Inventory questionnaire developed by Juczyński was used to assess health-related behavior, and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) developed by Costa and McCrae, in the Polish adaptation, was used to determine principal personality dimensions. Significant correlations between the level of health-related behavior or some kind of them and personality dimensions were observed. Two clusters (personality profiles) related to prohealthy behaviours were separated. Observed correlations between health behaviours and personality traits of physically active men confirm the validity of the research and a need for healthy behaviour education. Understanding the associations between healthy behaviours and personality traits can be used in health pedagogy, including development of effective methods of education and health prophylaxis in amateur athletes.

