Original scientific paper

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BIG FIVE PERSONALITY DIMENSIONS AND ACUTE PSYCHOPATHOLOGY: MEDIATING AND MODERATING EFFECTS OF COPING STRATEGIES

Zsuzsanna Mirnics ; Institute of Psychology, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church, Budapest, Hungary
Orsolya Heincz ; Institute of Psychology, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church, Budapest, Hungary
Gyorgy Bagdy ; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE Group of Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry, Budapest, Hungary
Zsuzsanna Surányi ; Institute of Psychology, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church, Budapest, Hungary
Xenia Gonda ; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE Group of Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Clinical and Theoretical Mental Health, Kutvolgyi Clinical Center, Semmelweis University
Anita Benko ; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Eszter Molnar ; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Nenad Jakšić ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Judit Lazary ; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Clinical and Theoretical Mental Health, Kutvolgyi Clinical Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Gabriella Juhasz ; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE Group of Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry, Budapest, Hungary; Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit, School of Community Based Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Human Sci

Abstract

Background: Prior research suggests that the Big Five personality dimensions might be associated with coping strategies as
well as acute psychopathology. The aim of the present study was to investigate direct and indirect associations between the Big Five
personality traits, coping styles, and psychopathological variables.
Subjects and methods: Subjects were 1140 adults from various institutions and regions in Hungary. A comprehensive test
battery was administered including the Big Five Inventory (BFI), Psychological Immune System Inventory (PISI), and some
subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Several moderation-mediation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS tool in
SPSS to test for influence paths.
Results: Coping and personality variables jointly accounted for 40% to 50% of variance in psychopathology outcome. Personality
dimensions of Extraversion, Conscientiousness and Emotional Stability had strongest predictive values. Emotional Stability
had a more direct and unmediated effect, whereas Extraversion and Conscientiousness effects were mediated by the Approach and
Self-regulation coping systems. In comparison to personality, coping style was generally a stronger predictor.
Conclusions: The findings of this study might add to better understanding of complex pathways leading from broad personality
dimensions to coping strategies and psychological (mal)adjustment.

Keywords

personality - Big Five – psychopathology - coping strategies – mediation - moderation

Hrčak ID:

162112

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/162112

Publication date:

16.12.2013.

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