The relationship between personality and health spans multiple levels, and different models have addressed different aspects of this relationship. So far, most of the models available provide useful information to understand the effects of personality and stress on health. Below, I will discuss the models from personality psychology that could be used to integrate the effects of personality and stress on health outcomes.
The transactional stress moderation model (TSMM) states that personality influences the appraisal of stressful situations and coping responses, which affect the physiological responses to stress that contributes to the development of a disease (Smith & MacKenzie, 2006). The physiological responses to stress correspond the …show more content…
The HBM states that personality influences health behavioral practices, and in consequence health outcomes. Although, this model does not specify how stress is related to the relationship between personality and health related behaviors, it still provides valuable information of how personality is related to specific health behaviors (risk behaviors or preventive behaviors), and how specific health behaviors are associated to specific health outcomes. In this model, researchers have also evaluated health behaviors as mediators of personality and health outcomes, and whether interventions affect the “sequence” of personality, behaviors and health (Friedman & Kern, 2010). This model can be incorporated into the TSMM model by understanding that certain health behaviors can produce more stressful situations in the individual’s life. For example, individuals may smoke as a way of coping with stressful situations. However, the act of smoking itself can increase stress because an individual can become addicted to nicotine, and/or it can create interpersonal conflicts because it is associated with negative health …show more content…
The lifespan approach was developed to create a better understanding of health at different times points, and to develop interventions that promote good health for individuals of all ages (Hampson & Friedman, 2010). The two general models mentioned in this approach, relevant to the relationship between personality and health are: the critical period model, and the accumulation model (Hampson & Friedman, 2010). The critical period model state that the exposure to risk factors in a critical period have more long standing effects than exposure during other points of development (Hampson & Friedman, 2010). In this model, and personality is conceptualized as the motivator to increase, or not, the likelihood of a risky behavior. Stress can be considered a type of risk factor in this model. On the other hand, the accumulation model state that the effects of exposure to risky factors is built up over the time (Hampson & Friedman, 2010). In some variants of these models, personality is understood as having an effect on the individual’s environment, similar to the TSMM. The accumulation models have also been applied to stress (e.g., allostasis model). The allostasis model states that the repeated and constant use of the autonomic, cardiovascular, and immune systems as a response to stress results in accumulation of allostatic load that can damage these systems
The transactional stress moderation model (TSMM) states that personality influences the appraisal of stressful situations and coping responses, which affect the physiological responses to stress that contributes to the development of a disease (Smith & MacKenzie, 2006). The physiological responses to stress correspond the …show more content…
The HBM states that personality influences health behavioral practices, and in consequence health outcomes. Although, this model does not specify how stress is related to the relationship between personality and health related behaviors, it still provides valuable information of how personality is related to specific health behaviors (risk behaviors or preventive behaviors), and how specific health behaviors are associated to specific health outcomes. In this model, researchers have also evaluated health behaviors as mediators of personality and health outcomes, and whether interventions affect the “sequence” of personality, behaviors and health (Friedman & Kern, 2010). This model can be incorporated into the TSMM model by understanding that certain health behaviors can produce more stressful situations in the individual’s life. For example, individuals may smoke as a way of coping with stressful situations. However, the act of smoking itself can increase stress because an individual can become addicted to nicotine, and/or it can create interpersonal conflicts because it is associated with negative health …show more content…
The lifespan approach was developed to create a better understanding of health at different times points, and to develop interventions that promote good health for individuals of all ages (Hampson & Friedman, 2010). The two general models mentioned in this approach, relevant to the relationship between personality and health are: the critical period model, and the accumulation model (Hampson & Friedman, 2010). The critical period model state that the exposure to risk factors in a critical period have more long standing effects than exposure during other points of development (Hampson & Friedman, 2010). In this model, and personality is conceptualized as the motivator to increase, or not, the likelihood of a risky behavior. Stress can be considered a type of risk factor in this model. On the other hand, the accumulation model state that the effects of exposure to risky factors is built up over the time (Hampson & Friedman, 2010). In some variants of these models, personality is understood as having an effect on the individual’s environment, similar to the TSMM. The accumulation models have also been applied to stress (e.g., allostasis model). The allostasis model states that the repeated and constant use of the autonomic, cardiovascular, and immune systems as a response to stress results in accumulation of allostatic load that can damage these systems