Personality and self-reported delinquency: Analysis of the “Big Five” personality dimensions

The results of two studies into the “Big Five” personality factors associated with interpersonal violence and vandalism/theft are reported. In the first, respondents were 216 high school students with a median age of 17 yr. It was found that Agreeableness and, to a lesser extent, Conscientiousness and Neuroticism were significant “domain” correlates. Respondents in the second study were 90 university undergraduates who participated in a study for course credit. Several important ‘facet’ correlates were identified and multiple regression analyses showed trust and excitement-seeking to be significant predictors of both forms of delinquency. Self-discipline was found to be a significant predictor of vandalism only. The results are discussed with reference to previous research into the personality correlates to delinquency.