The Importance of the "Big Five" Personality Traits for Subjective Health and Life Satisfaction in Adolescence: Results of the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS)

Abstract

The role of personality traits in self-rated health and well-being of adolescents has barely been studied in Germany so far. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between the Big Five personality traits and self-reported health as well as life satisfaction of adolescents in Germany. The study data are based on the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), starting cohort 3 (wave 3, 2012). This sample includes (n=5,440) 7th grade adolescents in regular schools. Personality traits were measured by the Big Five-Inventory (BFI-10): Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Openness. Statistical analyses were carried out using bivariate methods and binary-logistic multilevel models, taking into account individuals nested in school classes and schools. Adolescents with pronounced neuroticism had a higher risk of both poor self-rated health (OR: 1.33) and low life satisfaction (OR: 1.46). In contrast, adolescents with high levels of conscientiousness had a reduced risk of poor health (OR: 0.72) and low life satisfaction (OR: 0.59). High levels of extraversion (OR: 0.78) and agreeableness (OR: 0.72) also correlated with higher life satisfaction, but not with better self-reported health. The characteristic of openness was not associated with either self-reported health or the life satisfaction of adolescents. The results suggest that certain personality traits, namely the Big Five can be important indicators of health and life satisfaction of adolescents in early adolescence. However, further studies are needed to assess the link between the Big Five and its generalizability to other age groups.