Personality traits
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UMT.Lahore
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality traits,
defensive pessimism, and cyberchondria among youths. It was hypothesized that 1) there
is likely to be a relationship between personality traits, defensive pessimism, and
cyberchondria in youth, 2) personality traits and defensive pessimism would likely to
predict cyberchondria in youth, 3) there would likely be gender differences in personality
traits, defensive pessimism and cyberchondria in youth. A correlational research design
was used. The convenient sampling strategy were used to collect data from 200 participants
who were university students of age range between 18 to 28 years (M = 20.82, SD = 2.08).
The Big Five Inventory (John & Martinez, 1998), Defensive Pessimism (Norem, 2001),
and Cyberchondria severity Scale (McElroy & Shevlin, 2014), along with a self
constructed demographic sheet for assessment. The results showed positive relationship of
conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness personality traits with defensive pessimism
in youth. The results also showed positive relationship of neuroticism with cyberchondria
in youth. Further, extraversion and conscientiousness showed negative relationship with
mistrust subscale of cyberchondria. In addition, result showed neuroticism and defensive
pessimism positively predicted cyberchondria. Moreover, results indicated non-significant
gender differences in terms study variables. The study highlights the emerging issues of
cyberchondria in youth being active internet users. The results could be helpful in
proposing strategies to control anxiety related to health-related information seeking in
youth.