A Preliminary Meta-analysis of the Big Five Personality Traits' Effect on Marital Separation. Issue 7 (3rd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spikic, Sascha; Mortelmans, Dimitri
• Is Part Of: Journal of divorce & remarriage. Volume 62:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 551
• Page End: 571
• Publication Date: 2021-10-03
• Subjects: Big Five -- divorce -- meta-analysis -- social exchange theory; Divorce -- Law and legislation -- United States -- Periodicals; Divorce -- Periodicals; Remarriage -- Periodicals; 306.89
• DOI: 10.1080/10502556.2021.1993018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-2556

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In line with social exchange theory, the Big Five traits are hypothesized to affect marital stability. We performed a meta-analysis, which restricted the study selection to title searches and broad-scale Big Five trait effects. In total, 51 study effects were incorporated into the analysis ( N = 25, 153). The findings showed that neurotic, extraverted, and open individuals experience a higher risk of divorce, whereas conscientious individuals run less of a risk. However, the size of the personality effect was small for neuroticism and very small for the other three traits. No gender differences were detected, but measuring personality after divorce did appear to moderate the results. Although not directly tested, the findings of this research indicate that social exchange theory can successfully explain the predictive capability of the Big Five personality traits with regard to marital instability.