Associations of Identity Dimensions with Big Five Personality Domains and Facets

Abstract

Personality is among the most important factors contributing to individual differences in identity formation. However, previous studies mainly focused on broad personality domains and neglected more specific facets. In addition, it has only recently been recognized that identity formation is guided by multiple types of commitment and exploration. The present study aimed to remedy these limitations by relating the 30 personality facets of the NEO‐PI‐3 to five identity dimensions. In general, identity formation was especially facilitated by high levels of Conscientiousness and, to a lesser extent, also by high levels of Extraversion and low levels of Neuroticism. Openness and Agreeableness predicted greater involvement in both the positive side (i.e. exploration in breadth and depth) and negative side (i.e. ruminative exploration) of the exploration process. Personality facets and their overarching domains, as well as facets underlying the same domain, were often differentially associated with identity dimensions. Additionally, we found that some personality facets both have bright and dark sides, as they predicted both proactive identity work and a weakened sense of identity. Overall, the present study underscores the utility of multidimensional models of identity formation and points to the benefits of considering personality facets in addition to broad domains. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Me, Myself, and Mobility: The Relevance of Region for Young Adults‘ Identity Development

“…To clarify the adaptive development of regional identity, we investigated meaningful associations with personality traits and life satisfaction. In line with previous research (Crocetti et al, ; Klimstra et al, ), we hypothesized that a more established regional identity status goes along with personality traits associated with maturity and higher life satisfaction.…”

The Big Five Inventory–2: Replication of Psychometric Properties in a Dutch Adaptation and First Evidence for the Discriminant Predictive Validity of the Facet Scales

“…Furthermore, Klimstra, Luyckx, Hale, and Goossens (2014) focused on longitudinal predictors of externalizing behavior and found that associations within certain domains were facet-specific (e.g., the reported association between extraversion and alcohol abuse was mainly due to the facets of sociability and activity). In another study, Klimstra, Luyckx, Goossens, Teppers, and De Fruyt (2013) found that associations between negative emotionality and ruminative exploration of identity were mainly due to internalizing facets of negative emotionality (e.g., anxiety, depression, etc.). Mund and Neyer (2014) also reported facet-specific effects, such as the finding that the conscientiousness facet of dependability (but not the total conscientiousness domain score) predicted decreases in insecurity in relationships with kin, and the extraversion facet of activity (but not the total extraversion domain score) predicted increases in closeness in relationships with kin.…”

How Good It Would Be to Turn Back Time: Adult Attachment and Perfectionism in Mothers and Their Relationships with the Processes of Parental Identity Formation

“…The links between the sense of identity and higher-order personality factors such as the Big Five are well-established (Klimstra, Luyckx, Goossens, Teppers, & De Fruyt, 2013;Lounsbury, Levy, Leong, & Gibson, 2007). However, there still is a need to study the role of more narrow and specific lowerorder personality characteristics (McAdams & Pals, 2006).…”