Estimating the Personality Attributes of Malaysian Youth: Age Differences (15 to 39 years) in Big Five Domains

In this study, age and gender differences in the Big Five were investigated in Malay-speaking Malaysian youth. (N=1036). The Big Five Inventory (BFI) was completed by participants ranging in age from 15 to 39 years old. Age differences were discovered, indicating that mean levels of Neuroticism are negatively related to age, whereas Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion are positively related to age. Openness to experience showed a curvilinear relationship with age, with the highest mean levels in middle age for youth and significant drops in mean levels for females as they approach preadulthood. Gender differences were discovered, indicating that males have higher levels of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion on average, whereas females have higher levels of Neuroticism Openness to experience factor, men are more positive throughout their life. This was the first study to investigate age and gender patterns in the Big Five as measured with the BFI.