The HEXACO and five-factor models of personality in relation to RIASEC vocational interests

The current study extended the empirical research on the overlap of vocational interests and personality by (a) testing hypothesized relations between RIASEC interests and the personality dimensions of the HEXACO model, and (b) exploring the HEXACO personality model's predictive advantage over the five-factor model (FFM) in capturing RIASEC interests. Results of correlations based on a sample of 437 college students (157 men and 280 women) revealed support for eight of 21 hypothesized HEXACO–RIASEC relations for men and nine of 21 for women. Results of multiple regressions revealed that HEXACO accounted for more variance in RIASEC interests than did the FFM, and that HEXACO accounted for significant incremental variance beyond that explained by the FFM in four of six RIASEC interests for men and in five of six RIASEC interests for women.

► Interest-personality relations were examined using the HEXACO and five-factor models. ► We hypothesized 21 specific relations between HEXACO dimensions and RIASEC interests. ► Results supported eight of 21 HEXACO-RIASEC relations in men and nine of 21 in women. ► HEXACO explained more variance in RIASEC interests than did the five-factor model. ► HEXACO explained incremental variance beyond the five-factor model in RIASEC interests.