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. 2020 Mar 12;15(3):e0229779.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229779. eCollection 2020.

Individual differences in personality predict the use and perceived effectiveness of essential oils

Lindsay S Ackerman  1 , William J Chopik  1
Affiliations

Individual differences in personality predict the use and perceived effectiveness of essential oils

Lindsay S Ackerman et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Essential oil (EO) use is growing in popularity and ostensibly used for treating or preventing various ailments or conditions. Despite the increase in use, there is a paucity of research on psychosocial predictors of EO use and their perceived effectiveness. However, several psychosocial characteristics are associated with health-promoting behavior and a tendency to believe in homeopathic cures. In the current study, we examined a variety of individual differences in the use and perceived effectiveness of essential oils in a sample of 1,202 participants (Mage = 31.33, SD = 13.77; 61.7% women, 75.6% Caucasian). We found that receptivity to pseudo-profound fabricated statements and religiosity were the most consistent predictors of greater use of, perceived effectiveness of, and a willingness to spend more money on EOs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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