Evidence from Iran: Determining the relationship between the five-factor personality traits and the coronavirus health guideline compliance

Introduction: In the pandemic condition, especially the highly contagious coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it is essential to follow the behavioral recommendations that reduce the infection risk. Humans personality traits influence many of their behaviors. Knowing the relationship between personality traits and how individuals follow health guidelines is useful. Since it is possible to increase conformity to health guidelines by correcting maladaptive personality traits or strengthening adaptive personality traits, this study aimed to determine the relationship between health observance and the five personality traits. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 220 students studying in various fields at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during the 2020-2021 academic year were selected voluntarily. They fulfilled NEO Five-Factor Inventory-Short Form and Health Observance Questionnaire. Data analyzed through regression statistical analysis and SPSS software version 26. Results: The results showed that the personality type explains 36% of the health observance and quarantine compliance in the Corona outbreak. The conscientiousness dimension had the highest correlation (r= 0.562, P 0.05), and the openness to experience dimension (r= 0.268, P 0.05) had the lowest correlation with health observance and quarantine compliance. Only the neuroticism dimension was inversely related to health observance and quarantine compliance (r= -0.320, P 0.05). Conclusion: Researchers can use conscientious characteristics as a model in health education protocols. Conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and neuroticism predicted health observance and quarantine compliance, respectively. Based on the correlation results, the neuroticism dimension was inversely related to the following health observances and quarantine compliance.