Dimensions of hypochondriasis and the five-factor model of personality

Relations between dimensions of hypochondriasis assessed by the Illness Att itudes Scales and the higher-order and lower-order dimensions of the "Big F ive" model of personality were examined in 309 university students. Factor analysis revealed five IAS dimensions, similar to those identified in previ ous studies: Fear of Illness and Death, Treatment Experience, Symptom Effec ts, Disease Phobia and Conviction, and Health Habits. These five IAS dimens ions in turn loaded on to two higher-order factors: Health Anxiety and Heal th Behaviors. To help clarify the meaning of these IAS dimensions and the t wo higher-order factors, a series of regression analyses were conducted usi ng the NEO-PI-R personality domains and facets. Neuroticism, and its facet of anxiety, were significant predictors of several IAS dimensions and the h igher-order factor of Health Anxiety. In contrast, Conscientiousness was a significant predictor of one of the IAS dimensions and the second higher-or der factor of Health Behaviors. The results suggest that some IAS dimension s are reflective of specific and core features of hypochondriasis while oth er IAS dimensions are generally nonspecific or too peripheral, and may in f act assess adaptive functioning. The results also suggest that previously o bserved negative associations between hypochondriasis and Extraversion, as well as Agreeableness, are reduced or eliminated when Neuroticism is statis tically controlled. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.