Demographic Characteristics and Personality Variables as Predictors of Health Information Literacy in Young Adults

A quantitative study linking individual differences in health information literacy to personality traits and demographic variables is presented. Vocational students from health-related, commercial, and technical professions (N = 317) completed the 30-item version of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI-30), a questionnaire measuring the five personality dimensions of neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, as well as the Health Information Literacy Knowledge Test (HILK). Additionally, each participant indicated his or her gender, age, level of education, and occupation. A multiple regression analysis identified extraversion and education as significant predictors of health information literacy. In addition, a mediating effect of education in the relation between openness and health information literacy was revealed. No significant effects were found for gender, age, and occupation. Possible explanations of the findings as well as implications for promoting health information literacy in young adults are discussed.