The relationship between three basic psychological needs and big five personality traits: A meta-analysis

The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematize available empirical findings in the field of basic psychological needs and personality traits overlap. Study eligibility criteria were: three basic psychological needs defined within Self-Determination Theory (autonomy, competence, relatedness), Five-factor model/Big Five model of personality traits, self-reported data, essential statistical indicators, and independent samples. The final sample included 16 primary studies, 17 independent samples, with 206 independent effect sizes representing more than 10 500 participants. Fifteen independent meta-analysis were performed resulting in 15 statistically significant, small to moderate in size, correlation coefficients between needs and traits. All three needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) had negative correlations with neuroticism, and positive correlations with extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Multiple publication bias indicators left this conclusion unaltered. Due to a relatively small number of primary studies, additional moderator analyses were not performed even though a large amount of heterogeneity was identified. This study is the first to empirically summarize and calculate the existing overlap between constructs from two theoretical perspectives of individual differences.