29th Annual Student Research Conference
The Relationship Between Big Five Personality Characteristics and Leaving an Abusive Relationship
Devynn C. Campbell
Dr. Mark Hatala, Faculty Mentor
This study examines the relationship between Big Five personality traits and leaving an abusive relationship. Participants were 20 females (age range 21 to 71 years) recruited at domestic violence resource centers. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory and a questionnaire regarding the timeline of and abuse experienced in their previous abusive relationship. Results showed that participants have a significantly lower average score on Agreeableness than the general population (p=.002). Higher scores on Extraversion (p=.069) and Conscientiousness (p=.04) are related to an earlier decision to leave following the first act of abuse. Agreeableness (p=.041) and Extraversion (p=.047) are inversely related to total relationship length. This knowledge could contribute to a deeper understanding of the process of leaving an abusive relationship and provide therapists of domestic violence survivors a tool to help predict potential difficulties in specific aspects of the leaving process and help the client make the best decision for herself.
Keywords: Domestic violence, Big Five, Leaving an abusive relationship
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: -2
Location: MG 2050
Time: 8:15