The Relationship Between the Big Five Personality Traits and Aggressive Behavior: the Case of Dandora Secondary School in Embakasi North, Nairobi County

Abstract

According to research, understanding adolescent aggressive behavior may aid in their developmental process to become well-adjusted individuals going forward. This research looked into whether there was a connection between personality (the Big 5 dimensions) and aggressive behavior among adolescents living in urban informal settlements in Embakasi North, Nairobi County, enrolled at Dandora Secondary School, aged 15 and above. The research design utilized was a case study. A stratified random sample of 234 students with 185 final respondents was used to collect quantitative data. To acquire qualitative information for the study, purposive sampling was utilized among the two focus groups and four key informants. Self-reporting standardized tests (questionnaires) were utilized to evaluate aggression and personality traits. Interpretation of quantitative data was achieved through descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and the Chi-square test to test the hypothesis. Qualitative data analysis was done and reported in regards to the main objectives and emerging themes. The Big Five personality traits reported were 30.8% conscientiousness, 22.2% agreeableness, 16.2% extraversion, 15.7% neuroticism, and 15.1% openness. 50.8% verbal aggressiveness and 49.2% physical aggressiveness made up direct aggression, while 50.3% anger and 49.7% hostility constituted indirect aggression. Results from the Chi-square analysis in regards to the hypothesis findings were shared. The personality (Big 5 dimensions) and direct aggressiveness association was discovered to be strong and positive (χ2=4.9328, p=0.294, V=0.1633). Furthermore, indirect aggressiveness and personality (Big 5 dimensions) showed a strong and positive association (χ2=2.9635, p=0.564, V=0.1266). Results from the correlation analysis uncovered personality traits (the Big 5 dimensions) and both direct and indirect aggressiveness positive connections. Nevertheless, a negative correlation was put forward that linked direct and indirect aggressiveness. Furthermore, the results were reinforced by Chi-square analysis, which found personality (the Big 5 dimensions), direct aggressiveness, and indirect aggressiveness possessed positive and strong associations (χ2=7.4403, p=0.114, V=0.2005). Regression analyses revealed that the confounding variables—age, gender, socioeconomic status, peers, and media—all had an impact on the connection between both direct and indirect aggressiveness and personality (the Big 5 dimension).