Big Five traits interact to predict perceived social support

Many studies have examined the simple bivariate associations between the Big Five personality traits and perceived availability of social support. The current study examined whether any of the Big Five traits interacted to predict perceived support. Participants (N = 366) completed a Big Five personality inventory and a measure of perceived social support. Extraversion, neuroticism and openness predicted overall social support. These same three traits interacted to predict perceived support. That is, at low levels of extraversion, low neuroticism was associated with greater perceived support irrespective of level of openness. However, as extraversion increased, the combination of low neuroticism and low openness was associated with the greatest level of perceived support. At high levels of extraversion, high neuroticism and low openness was associated with the lowest level of perceived support. Implications of these findings are discussed.