Personality traits and facets linked with self-reported alcohol consumption and biomarkers of liver health

Introduction: This study examines whether the association between Five Factor Model personality traits and alcohol consumption extends beyond self-report to biomarkers of alcohol consumption. Methods: Community-dwelling adults from Sardinia (N = 5380), Italy, completed the revised NEO Personality Inventory and reported on alcohol consumption, while traditional biomarkers of heavy drinking, such as gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), were assayed from blood samples. Results: Associations between self-report measures were modest but consistent with previous findings on the link between personality and alcohol use. For instance, higher scores on the order and self-discipline facets of conscientiousness were associated with reduced risk of heavy alcohol consumption. Personality was also associated with GGT, though effects were small. Personality was unrelated to other biomarkers of liver health. Conclusions: This study adds multi-method evidence in support of a link between personality and health behaviors.