The Influence of Neuroticism, Extraversion and Openness on Stress Responses

Abstract

The present research moved beyond focusing on negative dispositions to investigate the influence of positive aspects of personality, namely extraversion and openness, on stress responses including appraisals, affect and task performance. Challenge appraisals occur when stressor demands are deemed commensurate with coping resources, whereas threat appraisals occur when demands are believed to outweigh coping resources. We examined the unique influence of personality on stress responses and the mediating role of appraisals. Personality was assessed, and then participants (N = 152) were exposed to a validated math stressor. We found unique effects on stress responses for neuroticism (high threat and negative affect and low positive affect), extraversion (high positive and low negative affect) and openness (high positive and low negative effect and better performance). Mediation analyses revealed that neuroticism indirectly worsened performance, through threat appraisals, and that openness indirectly increased positive affect through lower threat. These findings highlight the importance of investigating multiple aspects of personality on stress responses and provide an avenue through which stress responses can be changed-appraisals. Only by more broad investigations can interventions be tailored appropriately for different individuals to foster stress resilience.

Burnout in Irish teachers: Investigating the role of individual differences, work environment and coping factors

“…In order to understand and explain the relationship between neuroticism and emotional exhaustion it is necessary to examine the structure and nature of both constructs. Individuals high in neuroticism are prone to tension, worry and apprehension, tend to cope poorly with stress, and have a tendency to view events as threatening or problematic (Schneider et al, 2012;Watson et al, 1994). According to the transactional model, the tendency to appraise workplace demands as threats rather than challenges is an important step in the process leading to the development of stress.…”

“…Kokkinos (2007) for example, identified neuroticism as a significant positive predictor of all three burnout dimensions in a sample of Cypriot teachers, while Cano-Garcia, Padilla-Munoz, and CarrascoOrtiz (2005) found neuroticism to significantly and positively predict emotional exhaustion among a Spanish sample. Neuroticism has been found to predict higher threat appraisals, a key step in the stress development process (Schneider, Rench, Lyons, & Riffle, 2012). The tendency of people with high levels of neuroticism to express more negative emotions, emotional instability and stress reactions appears to render such individuals vulnerable to burnout and other psychological disturbances (Watson, Clark, & Harkness, 1994).…”

Agreeableness, Extraversion, Stressor and Physiological Stress Response

“…Secondly, outgoing individuals tend to pay attention to positive stimulation (Derryberry & Reed, 1994;Huang & Luo, 2006), which almost happens automatically Huang & Luo, 2007). Similarly, studies have shown that high extraversion and life satisfaction are correlated, and extroversion can improve SWB (McCrae & John, 1992); high extraversion and job stress and burnout were significantly negatively correlated (Mills & Huebner, 1998;Bakker , Zee & Lewig, 2006); extraversion has a positive effect on stress response (Chu et al, 2015;Schneider, 2012). discover the underlining mechanisms.…”

Personality, cognitive appraisal and labor pain

“…This trait involving an energetic approach towards the world and the need for companionship should bring beneficial effects in difficult situations (Schneider et al, 2011). However, research findings concerning extraversion are inconsistent, and in earlier studies this trait was found to be unrelated to cognitive appraisal (Penley & Tomaka, 2002).…”