A 2023 meta-analysis in Appetite compiled the results of 15 studies that looked at the Big Five personality traits of vegetarians compared to omnivores. This analysis included a total of almost 70,000 people. Vegetarians scored higher in agreeableness, which includes characteristics such as sharing, comforting, and helping other people. Openness to experience is another Big Five trait associated with vegetarians. This personality characteristic means that you are more creative and eager to experience something new.
A 2019 article in Frontiers in Psychology looked at the Dark Triad personality characteristics, which are Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Females who don’t eat meat tend to score lower on these Dark Triad characteristics, particularly Machiavellianism and narcissism.
Vegetarians are also led by different values compared to omnivores, according to a 2021 systematic review in Frontiers in Psychology. They tend to value universalism, hedonism, and self-direction, compared to omnivores, who value power. A 2014 presentation at the International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities found that vegetarians were much happier. However, that doesn’t mean that vegetarians are free from mental health problems.
