Impact of personality on the perception of health and illness

Authors

Keywords:

Perception, psychological factors, well-being, clinical psychology

Abstract

Personality has influenced how individuals perceive health and illness, as well as their ability to adhere to medical treatments. Factors such as neuroticism, optimism, and resilience have affected both the emotional response to illnesses and the willingness to follow therapeutic guidelines. Therefore, the present study analyzed the influence of personality on the perception of health and illness, as well as on treatment adherence, in order to propose intervention strategies that optimize healthcare from a comprehensive and personalized perspective. To this end, a quantitative approach with cross-sectional analysis was used, employing standardized questionnaires to measure personality traits and assess treatment adherence in patients with various health conditions. The results revealed that individuals with a resilient and optimistic personality showed better treatment adherence and a more positive perception of their health. While those with high levels of neuroticism tended to have difficulties following medical instructions and experienced greater emotional problems related to their illness. In conclusion, it was suggested that the integration of personality into healthcare models improves treatment adherence and optimizes health outcomes. Therefore, strategies based on personality traits constitute key elements to improve healthcare. Hence, the development of studies that integrate the variety of personality traits in different socio-cultural environments is required.

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Author Biography

María de Lourdes Llerena-Cepeda, Universidad Regional Autónoma de Los Andes, Ambato. Ecuador.

 

 

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Published

2025-03-01

How to Cite

Llerena-Cepeda, M. de L., Mayorga-Aldaz, E. C., Pacheco-Mayorga, N. A., & Aulestia-Castillo, C. A. (2025). Impact of personality on the perception of health and illness. Revista UGC, 3(S1), 177–186. Retrieved from https://universidadugc.edu.mx/ojs/index.php/rugc/article/view/115