Systematic review and meta-analysis of the relation between personality traits and preference for traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine

This preregistered systematic review and meta-analysis examined associations between personality and traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) preference, including, but not limited to, attitudes, use, and intention to use. We synthesized evidence from 27 published and unpublished observational and experimental studies (k = 336, N = 22,845). In multilevel meta-analytic models with cluster-robust variance estimation, Big Five and HEXACO traits had overall negligible correlations (r = -0.05–0.06) with TCAM preference. In contrast, the Disintegration trait showed a small positive association (r = 0.23, CI [-0.02, 0.49]), albeit with a limited number of effects (k = 6). Moderator analyses revealed a stronger association between Extraversion and TCAM preference in younger samples and between Openness and TCAM preference in USA samples. No systematic evidence of publication bias was detected; however, study quality moderated effects for Neuroticism and Agreeableness. Psychotic-like experiences and beliefs, as captured by Disintegration, may offer a promising direction for understanding TCAM preferences, warranting further investigation.