A meta-analysis on the general factor of personality and its relation with leadership outcomes: Evidence from mainland China. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Peiqian; van der Linden, Dimitri; Dunkel, Curtis S.; Ding, Ran; Li, Jinde; Li, Xin; Harmon, Andrew; Born, Marise Ph.
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 179(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: General factor of personality -- Social effectiveness -- Non-WEIRD population -- Leadership effectiveness -- Abusive supervision -- Mainland China -- Cross-culture -- Meta-analysis; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.110953
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: In the past decades, many studies have confirmed that specific personality traits correlate such that a general factor of personality (GFP) emerges. In order to test whether the characteristics of this general factor are universal, thorough tests in various cultures are required. Accordingly, we conducted a meta-analysis on the GFP in mainland China. After testing the sensitivity of the GFP, correction for attenuation, testing for samples' geographical distribution, types of samples, and types of questionnaires, we confirmed the GFP in the population of mainland China ( N = 30, 863, K = 53). To further examine the nature of the GFP, we tested whether it is indicative of general social effectiveness by studying the associations of the GFP with (1) leadership effectiveness and (2) abusive supervision. The results implied that high-GFP leaders indeed work more effectively ( r = 0.17) and were less abusive (−0.20), as rated by their subordinates. This study among Chinese samples adds to the literature by showing the consistency of the GFP in a large Eastern country. Highlights: The General Factor of Personality (GFP) can be found in the Chinese population. The GFP is stable across subpopulations in mainland China. The GFP is positively related to leadership effectiveness. The GFP is negatively related to abusive supervision. In Chinese populations, the GFP also seems to indicate social effectiveness.