Some of the causal links between neuroticism and physical health problems may be the same as for mental health problems. Like mental health problems, it is possible that neuroticism may be linked to physical health problems partly because of shared genetic influences. In addition, like mental health problems, it is likely that neuroticism is linked to physical health problems partly because neuroticism leads to experiencing more stressors and less social support (Contrada, Cather, & O’Leary, 1999;T. W. Smith & MacKenzie, 2006) or benefitting less from social support (Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Uchino, 2008). This is important because lower social support is associated with increased risk for health problems (Uchino, 2006) and stress increases risk for health problems, particularly when it is unremitting and the individual is older or in poor health (Schneiderman, Ironson, & Siegel, 2005).
