Conscientiousness as a Predictor of Healthy Living Behaviors among Student Activists

Health-related behaviors among university students have become an increasing concern, particularly among student activists who face substantial academic and organizational demands. Individual characteristics, including personality traits, may be associated with variations in health-related behaviors within this population. This study aimed to examine the association between conscientiousness and healthy living behaviors among student activists at UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta. A quantitative correlational design was employed, involving 230 undergraduate student activists selected through cluster random sampling from campus-based student organizations (UKK/UKM). Data were collected using the conscientiousness subscale of the Big Five Inventory and a Healthy Living Behavior Scale, both of which demonstrated adequate internal consistency in the present sample. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s product–moment correlation. The results indicated a statistically significant positive association between conscientiousness and healthy living behaviors (r = 0.456, p < 0.001), reflecting a moderate relationship. Descriptive analysis showed that most respondents fell within the moderate category for both conscientiousness and healthy living behaviors, based on mean and standard deviation criteria. These findings indicate that conscientiousness is meaningfully associated with healthier lifestyle practices among student activists, although the cross-sectional design does not permit causal inference. The results underscore the importance of considering personality traits alongside other psychological and contextual factors when examining health-related behaviors in student populations.