Gender differences in the Big Five personality development: A longitudinal investigation from late adolescence to emerging adulthood

► We assessed gender differences in the change of the Big 5 from adolescence through young adulthood. ► Conscientiousness and Openness increased linearly from age 16 to age 20 in both males and females. ► Energy/extraversion remained stable over the 4-year period. ► Emotional stability increased in males and remained stable in females. ► Agreeableness increased linearly in males, while showed a quadratic trend in females.