Bidirectional relationship between self-rated health and the big five personality traits among Chinese adolescents: a two-wave cross-lagged study

Abstract

Abstract Previous literature has focused mainly on the correlation between self-rated health and the Big Five personality traits. However, less is known about the bidirectional relationship between self-rated health and the Big Five personality traits among adolescents, leading to an insufficient understanding of the directional nature of their relationship. Based on a longitudinal survey database, this study empirically examines the bidirectional relationship between self-rated health and the Big Five personality traits among 7967 adolescents in China. Using a two-wave cross-lagged model, the findings emphasize the role of self-rated health in predicting the Big Five personality traits. Specifically, self-rated health significantly positively predicts subsequent extraversion, agreeableness, openness, and conscientiousness, whereas self-rated health significantly negatively predicts subsequent neuroticism. In addition, neuroticism significantly negatively predicts self-rated health, and openness significantly positively predicts self-rated health. The present study provides substantial evidence for the relationship between self-rated health and the Big Five personality traits in the Chinese context and contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between these variables.