Self-Actualisation, Meaning in Life and Psychological Distress in Relation to Personality Traits of Scientists

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the levels of self-actualisation, meaning in life and psychological distress of agricultural scientists in relation to their personality traits. Data was collected from 443 respondents (306 males, 137 females; mean age 37.2 ± 7.2 years) by administering the Big-Five Inventory, Short Index of Self-Actualization, Meaning in Life Questionnaire and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Findings revealed significant gender differences in extraversion and neuroticism among personality traits and meaning in life, favouring males whereas, females recorded higher scores in self-actualisation. Such gender differences were not observed in the scores on psychological distress. With increased experience, i.e., length of the service, extraversion, conscientiousness and neuroticism among personality traits, the presence of meaning and psychological distress was increased. The chronological age of scientists was positively correlated with extraversion, conscientiousness and presence of meaning and; negatively correlated with anxiety and depression especially in male participants. Among personality traits, agreeableness and openness were positively correlated with self-actualisation. Psychological distress was negatively associated with all the personality traits except neuroticism. The implications of these findings in relation to well-being and the workplace environment of the scientists are discussed.

Keywords: Self-Actualisation, Meaning in Life, Psychological Distress, Personality Traits, Agricultural Scientists

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