The impact of personality on the reporting of unfounded symptoms and illness

This study examined the role of personality in the reporting of symptoms an d illness not supported by underlying pathology. After assessment of the Bi g Five personality factors, 276 healthy volunteers were inoculated with a c ommon cold virus. On each of the following 5 days, objective indicators of pathology, self-reported symptoms, and self-reported illness onset were ass essed. Neuroticism was directly associated with reports of unfounded (witho ut a physiological basis) symptoms in individuals at baseline and postinocu lation in those with and without colds. Neuroticism was also indirectly ass ociated with reports of unfounded illness through reports of more symptoms. Openness to Experience was associated with reporting unfounded symptoms in those with verifiable colds, whereas Conscientiousness was associated with reporting unfounded illness in those who were not ill.