A meta-analysis of dependability coefficients (test–retest reliabilities) for measures of the Big Five

• A meta-analysis summarized short-term test–retest correlations for the Big Five.
• The median aggregated dependability estimate for the five traits was ρtt = .816.
• Transient error accounted for about 10% of the observed variance in trait scores.
• Shorter retest intervals resulted in more dependable scores for three traits.

Dependability coefficients such as test–retest correlations quantify transient error in test scores due to occasion-specific variations in, for example, current mood or feelings. The meta-analysis summarizes 682 test–retest correlations collected within an interval of up to two months from 74 samples (total N = 14,923) across different measures of the Big Five. The median aggregated dependability estimate for the five traits was ρtt = .816. Extraversion scales resulted in the most dependable scores, whereas agreeableness scales exhibited slightly larger measurement error. Transient error accounted for about 10% of the observed variance in scores of the Big Five. Meta-regression analyses indicated small moderation effects of the chosen retest interval for three traits, with shorter intervals resulting in higher retest correlations.