Freeman, G., Campbell, L., McClenaghan, V., & Matyas, J.

ABSTRACT

The impact of personality characteristics on stress has been thoroughly studied; however, personality in relation to stress caused by pandemics is relatively lacking in research. The present study hopes to explore the relationship between personality and perceived stress in response to a global pandemic. The conduction of surveys regarding perceived stress and personality characteristics, based on the completion of the Big Five personality test, allowed for the correlation between personality and perceived stress in response to a stressor to be conducted. Due to the sociocultural restrictions set in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, the methodology had to be adapted to an online format that supported social distancing and included such accommodations as the inclusion of self-measured stress levels. Analysis demonstrated a statistically insignificant positive correlation between extraversion and perceived stress, a positive correlation between openness and stress, a negative correlation between conscientiousness and stress, a positive correlation between agreeableness and stress, and a strong positive correlation between neuroticism and stress. Regarding stocking up on supplies, the analysis demonstrated a statistically insignificant correlation between extraversion and extra-stock level, a negative correlation between openness and extra-stock level, a negative correlation between conscientiousness and extra-stock level, a negative statistically insignificant correlation between agreeableness and extra-stock level, and a positive correlation between neuroticism and extra-stock level. Based on these findings, people with higher tendencies towards neuroticism may benefit from increased social support during times of sociocultural crisis. Social support could include free counseling programs, live-streams of mental health conferences, and self-report mental examinations. Raising awareness for mental health in the community could also benefit people, as people might be better able to recognize neuroticism and deal with it accordingly.