Big Five personality traits as predictors of anxiety and depression: A study in ecuatorian adults
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Keywords
Personality traits, Big Five model, Anxiety, Depression, Mental health, Ecuador
Abstract
This study aimed to analyze the associations between Big Five personality traits and levels of anxiety and depression in Ecuadorian adults. A quantitative approach was adopted, with a nonexperimental, cross-sectional, and correlational design. The sample consisted of 87 adult participants, selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling, aged between 18 and 64 years (M = 36.5, SD = 12.8). Data were collected using the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI10), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ4), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression. The results showed significant negative associations between conscientiousness and anxiety (r = −.32, p < .05) and depression (r = −.30, p < .05), as well as between emotional stability and anxiety (r = −.35, p < .05) and depression (r = −.28, p < .05). Regression models indicated that these two traits significantly predict variance in mental health. In contrast, extraversion, agreeableness, and openness did not show significant associations. In conclusion, conscientiousness and emotional stability act as protective factors against anxiety and depressive symptoms in this context. These results provide empirical evidence in a Latin American population and highlight the utility of brief instruments for early detection in clinical settings.
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Carmen Delia Sánchez León, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Ecuador
Department of Psychology. Private Technical University of Loja. Loja, Ecuador.
Private Technical University of Loja, Loja, Ecuador.