AUTHOR=AL-Omiri Mahmoud K. , Alzoubi Ibrahim A. , Al Nazeh Abdullah A. , Alomiri Abdallah K. , Maswady Mohannad N. , Lynch Edward
TITLE=COVID-19 and Personality: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study of the Relationship Between Personality Factors and COVID-19-Related Impacts, Concerns, and Behaviors
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry
VOLUME=12
YEAR=2021
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.608730
DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2021.608730
ISSN=1664-0640
ABSTRACT=Background: This cross-sectional observational study aimed to evaluate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related precautions to avoid COVID-19 infection, distress and behavioral changes, fears and concerns, and effects on opinions and beliefs among participants from different backgrounds and also to identify the relationships between personality factors and COVID-19-related changes and impacts.
Methods: One thousand and three hundred nineteen participants (744 females and 575 males, mean age ± SD = 32.7 ± 11.6 years) completed a three-section survey collecting data regarding demographic information, personality factors [using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI)], and COVID-19-related issues (using the VAS scale).
Findings: COVID-19 was associated with changes related to precautions to avoid COVID-19 infection, distress and behavioral changes, fears and concerns, and effects on opinions and beliefs (P < 0.05). Higher neuroticism scores were associated with more negative COVID-19-related changes and impacts (P < 0.05). Higher extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness scores were associated with more acceptance of COVID-19 containment measures as well as less COVID-19-related changes and impacts (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Personality factors were associated with COVID-19-related impacts. These findings demonstrate the importance of the relationship between personality factors and COVID-19-related changes.