Big-Five personality and aspects of the self-concept: Variable- and person-centered approaches

This study used variable- and person-oriented approaches to examine the importance of Big-Five personality in predicting aspects of the self-concept (i.e., self-control, self-esteem, and self-feelings). The Mini-IPIP scales (IPIP-BFM-20), Self-Control Scale (SCS), Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale (SES), and Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA-3) were administered to 357 Polish students (59% female). The variable-centered approach, based on multiple regression analysis, revealed that the personality traits explained 5 to 45% of the variance in the self variables, with the largest effect found on self-control. Two-step cluster analysis yielded three personality types, which corresponded to the previously described Resilient, Overcontrolled, and Undercontrolled types, and were meaningfully distinguished on self-variables of interest. However, this type approach showed weaker predictions than continuous and even dichotomized Big-Five traits.