The Relationship between Personality Characteristics and Risky Behaviors among College Students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Risky behaviors can lead to high rates of morbidity and mortality among college students. The purpose of this research was to investigate the correlation between personality characteristics and risky behaviors among college students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. In this descriptive study 200 students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (100 femals and 100 mals) during 2010-11 were investigated. Participants were recruited with stratified sampling and if they were accessible or volunterily participated in the study. NEO PI-OR Inventory and Risky Behaviors Questionnaires were used. Deta were analyzed using Pearson correlation, Simultaneous regression and Stepwise regression. The results showed that personality characteristics of neuroticism (r=-0.45), agreeableness (r=-0.63), and conscientiousness (r=-0.69), were all in significant negative correlation with risky behaviors (p<0.01). Also personality characteristics of extroversion (r=0.78) and openness to experience (r=0.71) had a significant positive correlation with risky behaviors (p<0.01). Findings of linear and hierarchical regression analysis revealed that personality characteristics were predictable in total 0.75 percent of risky behaviors variance, from which the contribution of extroversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness to experience, and agreeableness respectively were 0.60, 0.08, 0.04, 0.1, and 0.2 percent respectively. The findings of this research can not only aid in creating intervention programs for those who are engaging in risky behaviors, but it can also aid in preventing these behaviors in people who are at risk.