Religiosity and personality: Evidence for non-linear associations

Abstract

Within Eysenck's three-factor model, religiosity has mainly been associated with low Psychoticism, while within the five-factor model, associations have been reported with Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Extraversion. However, the size of associations has generally been small. A limitation of previous research is that it has only investigated linear associations. The present study looked at associations in a large community sample of over 7000 adults covering three age groups: 20-24 years, 40-44 years and 60-64 years. The personality scales given to participants measured Eysenck's three factors. Participants were divided into quartiles of religiosity and compared on the personality scal..