Correlation Studies Between Big Five Personality Traits, Age and Loneliness

Abstract

Background: This study investigates variables of age; openness to experiences, agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion and neuroticism explained by McCrae and Costa in Big Five theory; and its correlation with loneliness. Methods: Through method of convenience sampling, 15 participants were chosen between age group of 19 to 25 years and 15 participants in the age group 40 to 50 years. Big Five Inventory (John, O.P., Srivastava, S.; 1999) and Revised UCLA Loneliness scale, 3version (Russell, D., Peplau, L.A., Cutrona, C.E.; 1980) were used to collect personality dimension scores and loneliness score. Statistical procedure of multiple regression and correlation was used. Results: Results displayed a positive correlation between neuroticism and loneliness for both age groups 19 to 25 years and 40 to 50 years. However, there was a negative correlation between conscientiousness and loneliness for age group 19 to 25 years; and negative correlation between extraversion and loneliness for age group 40 to 50 years. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between certain personality traits and loneliness for specific age groups.