Five-factor model personality traits, spirituality/religiousness, and mental health among people living with HIV

J Pers. 2009 Oct;77(5):1411-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2009.00587.x. Epub 2009 Jul 22.

Abstract

We examined the association between five-factor personality domains and facets and spirituality/religiousness as well as their joint association with mental health in a diverse sample of people living with HIV (n=112, age range 18-66). Spirituality/religiousness showed stronger associations with Conscientiousness, Openness, and Agreeableness than with Neuroticism and Extraversion. Both personality traits and spirituality/religiousness were significantly linked to mental health, even after controlling for individual differences in demographic measures and disease status. Personality traits explained unique variance in mental health above spirituality and religiousness. Further, aspects of spirituality and religiousness were found to mediate some of the links between personality and mental health in this patient sample. These findings suggest that underlying personality traits contribute to the beneficial effects of spirituality/religiousness among vulnerable populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality / classification*
  • Religion and Psychology*
  • Social Identification
  • Social Support
  • Social Values
  • Spirituality*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Vulnerable Populations / psychology
  • Young Adult