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.
