The Relationship Between Big Five Personality Traits and Stress Levels: A Study Among Environmental Health Practitioners in Kapit Divisional Health Office

Authors

  • Mohamad Safiq Abdul Hasim Kapit Divisional Health Office, Level 3, Wisma Persekutuan, 96800 Kapit, Sarawak, Malaysia. Author
  • Micheal Pelitini Ugak Kapit Divisional Health Office, Level 3, Wisma Persekutuan, 96800 Kapit, Sarawak, Malaysia. Author
  • Federick Tonen Kapit Divisional Health Office, Level 3, Wisma Persekutuan, 96800 Kapit, Sarawak, Malaysia. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63719/johm.v23i1.223

Keywords:

personality trait, Big Five, stress level, environmental health practitioner, neuroticism

Abstract

Background: Studies have explored how personality traits influence stress levels, informing stress-management interventions. This study examined the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and stress levels among environmental health practitioners (EHPs) in the Kapit Divisional Health Office.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 45 practitioners was conducted using the Big Five Inventory-2 (BFI-2) and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). Pearson Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.

Results: All five personality traits were significantly correlated with stress levels. Neuroticism showed a strong positive correlation with stress (r = 0.733, p < 0.001), while Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to experience were negatively correlated. The regression model (R2 = 0.774) identified Neuroticism as the strongest predictor of stress.

Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of personality traits, particularly Neuroticism, in understanding stress among health practitioners. These findings have implications for targeted interventions and workplace planning.

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Published

19.05.2026

How to Cite

Abdul Hasim, M.S., Ugak, M.P. and Tonen, F. (2026) “The Relationship Between Big Five Personality Traits and Stress Levels: A Study Among Environmental Health Practitioners in Kapit Divisional Health Office”, The Journal of Health Management, 23(1), pp. 27–37. doi:10.63719/johm.v23i1.223.

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