Moderating effect of personality traits on the relationship between risk-taking behaviour and self-injury among first-year university students

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to examine the moderating effect of personality traits on the relationship between risk-taking behaviour and self-injury among first-year university students. Method A correlational survey design was utilised. A multistage sampling procedure was utilised to select the study sample. Three hundred and twelve university first-year students of a South African university consisting of 126 males and 186 females aged between 17 and 19 years participated in the study. Data collected were analysed with SPSS v.24 at 0.05 significant level. Results Agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism significantly correlated with self-injury. Openness to experience significantly moderated the relationship between risk-taking behaviour and self-injury (B = −0.013, SE = .005, p = .012). The relationship was positive and statistically significant at low, average, and high levels of openness to experience. The relationship, was, however, the strongest at low openness to experience point. Discussion It was concluded that the predictive impact of risk-taking behaviour on self-injury of university first-year students is enhanced by openness to experience personality trait. It was recommended that risk assessments and measures aiming to prevent/reduce self-harm among students be embraced by high institutions.