Research On Neuroticism: Understanding Personality Traits
Several personality theories have emerged since the beginning of clinical psychology. Studies often cite and utilize the Big Five Personality Test and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). One of the primary personality profiles of the Big Five test is neuroticism.
While taking personality tests can be insightful, know that your results may differ depending on when you take the test. Also, it is possible to change certain aspects of our personalities. Understanding neuroticism may offer more significant insight into your personality.
What is neuroticism?
Neuroticism is a personality type outlined in the Big Five Personality Test.
Neuroticism as a personality trait
Those with neuroticism as a trait may experience the following:
- Constant worry or distress
- Difficulty focusing
- Mood swings, emotional instability, or intense emotions
- Social withdrawal
- Chronic pain
- Mood and anxiety disorders
- Negative affectivity
- Eating disorders
- Depressive disorders
Neuroticism is associated with many symptoms that might be a symptom of a mental illness, so if you fit this personality type, it may be beneficial to reach out to a mental health professional.
What is personality?
Personality is often described as temperament, emotional capacity, and behavioral patterns developed from birth or childhood. It may also include one's values, morals, and self-esteem.
Personality: a mixture of genetic and environmental factors.
The big five personality theory
The Big Five Personality theory was first developed in the 1930s by Gordon Allport and Henry Odbert. In the early stages, these researchers gathered 18,000 personality-describing words to create 4,500-word banks. It was inspired by the trait theory, a newly emerging psychological theory positing that we could examine personality in parts instead of as a whole.
In 1946, another psychologist named Raymond Cattell used this list to develop 181 personality traits. He performed a study to generate the most used words to describe personality that people reported in the study. Many disregarded Cattell’s findings until the 1950s, when two researchers created another study with eight large samples to narrow Cattell's results to five personality traits.
The five most common personality traits, according to researchers
Their study moved to the National Institutes of Health, when Paul Costa, Robert McCrae, Lewis Goldberg, and Warren Norman concluded that the five most common personality traits in humans were as follows:
- Surgency
- Agreeableness
- Conscientiousness
- Emotional stability
- Culture
Modern categories of personality traits
It wasn't until the 1980s that the current five-factor model was created. The modern categories include:
- Openness to experience
- Conscientiousness
- Extraversion and introversion
- Agreeableness
- Neuroticism
The test rates each person low or high in each category. After you take the test, you can examine all categories and learn which you have the highest scores in. For example, you might be high in extroversion and openness to experiences but low in agreeableness. This result could indicate you are a social person who loves to travel and explore the world but doesn't like to follow authority or make exceptions for others.
What does research on neuroticism say?
According to studies, neuroticism is a real and impactful personality type. One study found that those with this trait were prone to anger, anxiety, self-consciousness, irritability, emotional instability, and depression. In addition, researchers believe neuroticism has public health implications.
Research on neuroticism: Links to anxiety and other health issues
The same study reported that neuroticism could be associated with the following:
- Cardiac challenges
- A malfunctioning immune system
- Asthma
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Increased risk of mortality
- Diminished quality of life
- Ill-will
- Worry
- Occupational failure
- Marital dissatisfaction
- Substance use disorders
- Individual differences in socialization from peers
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Another study looked at the public health of neuroticism and found that those with this trait often responded to threats, frustration, and loss with intense, negative emotions. For example, individuals would showcase intense emotional distress and upset.
Researchers have also examined the different types of neuroticism. A study by Alexander Weiss found that there was more than one type of neuroticism. People who received high levels of neuroticism with anxiety and tension were likelier to experience adverse health impacts than those who scored highly on worry and vulnerability.
Personality traits: What does it mean if you have a "neurotic" personality type?
If you have received the neurotic personality type result on the Big Five Personality Test or another personality typing indicator, you might experience the above symptoms or impacts. However, know that neuroticism doesn't necessarily define you. You can choose the ways you behave and respond to your emotions.
Neuroticism as an indicator of a mental health condition
In addition, a neuroticism result may indicate a mental health condition. If you haven't previously sought support, you might benefit from talking to a licensed therapist about whether this result could indicate an underlying concern.
Is neuroticism another word for mental illness?
With several maladaptive traits, it can seem that neuroticism is an unhealthy personality profile; however, some psychologists believe neuroticism as a personality trait doesn't exist and is a label to describe mental illness, as many of its associated traits are symptoms of mental health disorders.
Neuroticism as one of the personality traits
Neuroticism is only a personality trait if it doesn't negatively impact your daily functioning. If you are experiencing impaired functioning, consider contacting a licensed professional for support. You may be living with an underlying concern.
Counseling options for different levels of neuroticism
As neuroticism is directly linked to mental health conditions, reaching out for support from a licensed professional can be beneficial. If you face barriers to care like financial insecurity, availability needs, or distance, you can also try online counseling through a platform like BetterHelp.
Neuroticism is often associated with social withdrawal and difficulty communicating. If you experience these symptoms, you might appreciate online therapy's flexibility. On some platforms, you can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with your therapist and receive quality support and coping skills you can try from home.
Studies also back up online therapy. One review of 17 studies found that online therapy could be more effective than in-person therapy in treating depression, a common condition alongside neuroticism.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.
What is the cause of neurotic disorder?
The word neurotic is a stigmatized term, likely due to its similarity to the outdated diagnostic term “neurosis”. Neuroticism is currently considered a personality trait as measured by the Big Five Personality Test. The Big Five personality traits include: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
Levels of neuroticism
Someone who scores high in neuroticism can tend to be more susceptible to anxiety, depression, feelings of envy or guilt, and have lower self-esteem. They are also often extremely sensitive to environmental stress, and may inflate stressful or distressing situations to dire proportions, in ways not proportional to reality.
What causes the personality trait neuroticism?
Those who score high on neuroticism as a personality trait are often influenced by a number of factors. Some are genetically more prone toward neuroticism, and have a system that is more reactive toward stressful situations. Environmental factors can also contribute, with those growing up in unstable homes or with unstable relationships with caregivers often at greater risk for neuroticism. Finally, specific situations can be a factor. For example, a person in an abusive relationship may experience higher levels of neuroticism, but may see these levels decrease if they leave the relationship.
What causes neuroticism in childhood?
Children who show signs of higher neuroticism may have biological factors at play, or they may experience instability in their environment or primary relationships, leaving them feeling unsure, frightened, or anxious.
How does neuroticism or a neurotic personality trait start?
While there are several potential risk factors for neuroticism, for many the “first cause” may simply be a genetic predisposition to this personality trait. Some people are born more reactive to stimulus, although medical experts can’t say why this is. Some experts believe that greater reactivity in certain individuals has been helpful in the evolutionary process as they spot and react to threats more quickly than others.
Can anxiety and other mental health conditions cause neuroticism?
In certain cases, stress can be a factor in neuroticism. Someone who is experiencing a big life change or challenge may become at risk for more neurotic thoughts or behavior.
What makes neurosis worse?
Stress or trauma can increase neurotic tendencies. For many who find that this personality trait has a negative impact on their lives and relationships, learning positive coping skills through therapy can be a way to effectively manage these feelings and decrease certain undesired behaviors.
What triggers neurotic behavior?
This can depend on the individual. Those with a more neurotic personality may be at greater risk for having negative thoughts and emotions across the board, but some may experience greater anxiety around certain situations. For example, one person may become overly focused on their health, while another may have panic attacks at the thought of interacting with other people.
How to help a neurotic person?
If you or someone you know is interested in seeking help for neurotic tendencies, an effective approach is cognitive behavioral therapy with a licensed professional therapist or counselor. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, was developed to help an individual identify problematic patterns of thinking, and help them redirect them into healthier and more positive channels.
What are the dangers of neuroticism?
Someone with a more neurotic personality often experiences more negative emotions, lower self-esteem, and are at greater risk for developing mental health disorders than those with lower neuroticism scores. They often have a tendency to have negative thoughts about situations, and assume the worst.
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