The associations between the Big Five personality factors and religiosity among university students from Egypt

Abstract

Purpose Most studies on the association between the Big Five (BF) personality traits and religiosity have been conducted on western samples. This study aims to explore this association using Egyptian university students. Design/methodology/approach A sample of Alexandria University undergraduates (n = 1,579) responded to the Arabic Big Five Personality Inventory and a self-rating scale of religiosity. Findings Men obtained significantly higher mean total scores than did women for extraversion, openness and conscientiousness, whereas women had a significantly higher mean total score than did men for neuroticism. All the correlations between BF and religiosity in men were statistically significant and positive, except for neuroticism and religiosity (non-significant). Among women, all these correlations were statistically significant and positive, except with neuroticism (negative). Principal components analysis extracted two components, which were labeled “Positive personality traits and religiosity” and “Neuroticism versus extraversion” in both sexes. Regression analysis indicated that the predictors of religiosity were conscientiousness and agreeableness among men. For women, the predictors of religiosity were conscientiousness, agreeableness and low neuroticism. Research limitations/implications The results in the present Egyptian sample reflect the general pattern observed in the international studies. A potential clinical implication may be to integrate Islamic beliefs and practices in psychotherapeutic procedures among university students. Practical implications The next step would be to conduct a longitudinal study using a general population sample with a large age range. Furthermore, the reasons for the importance of religiosity in the life of Muslim participants is a suggested topic for a deep study. On the basis of the importance of religion among Arab participants, a potential clinical implication may be to integrate Islamic beliefs and practices in psychotherapeutic procedures among university students. Social implications The selection of this sample makes the cross-cultural comparison viable. Notwithstanding these sharp differences, the result’s similarities overshadow differences. Originality/value The studies on the present subject using Egyptian participants are few, notwithstanding the high mean score of religiosity among them.