Psychological profile of early adolescents with different levels of neuroticism

Abstract

This study aimed at analysing the psychological profile of early adolescents, which included the locus of control in situations of success and failure and four of the five traits underlying the Five Factor Model (FFM): extroversion, conscientiousness, openness to experience and agreeableness, depending on their level of neuroticism. This research is based on the Rotter’s theory of reinforcement and the FFM of Costa and McCrae.The sample consisted of 286 Polish students (M = 12.97), including 137 girls (48%) and 149 boys (52%). The Five Factor Model personality traits were measured using the Picture-Based Personality Survey for Children. The locus of control was surveyed with the Locus of Control Questionnaire.Students with the lowest level of neuroticism had the most internal locus of control scores. In girls, regardless of the level of neuroticism, extroversion was associated with an internal locus of control of failure. The group of adolescents with the lowest level of neuroticism was characterised by significantly higher levels of extroversion and openness to experience than their peers with medium and high levels of neuroticism and had significantly higher conscientiousness and agreeableness scores compared to adolescents with medium and high levels of neuroticism, respectively.The results are analysed in the context of the impact that the locus of control and personality traits have on the mental health of adolescents.