Moderating Role Of Personality Traits On Stigmatization As a Predictor Of Health-Seeking Behaviour Among Adults

Abstract

This study investigated the moderating role of personality traits on the relationship between stigmatisation and health-seeking behaviour among adults. The sample consisted of 211 participants (114 males and 97 females) aged 18 to 65 years (M = 34.82, SD = 11.90) drawn from the General Outpatient Department of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital Parklane and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku/Ozalla in Enugu State, Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was employed. The study utilised three instruments: the Big Five Inventory, the Stigma Scale, and the Health-Seeking Behaviour Scale. A correlation research design was adopted, and moderated hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The results revealed that stigmatisation negatively predicts health-seeking behaviour (β = -0.340, p < 0.001), indicating that higher levels of stigmatisation are associated with a lower likelihood of seeking healthcare. Contrary to expectations, the Big Five personality traits did not directly predict health-seeking behaviour. However, they moderated the relationship between stigmatisation and health-seeking behaviour, with agreeableness negatively moderating this relationship (β = -0.027, p < 0.041). Additionally, demographic variables such as age, education level, and religious affiliation significantly influenced health-seeking behaviour. These findings highlight the importance of addressing stigmatization in healthcare settings to improve health-seeking behaviour. One practical implication is the need for healthcare providers to develop targeted interventions that consider individual personality traits and demographic factors to effectively support stigmatized individuals in seeking timely medical help.