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IMPACT OF PERSONALITY TRAITS ON INTERPERSONAL DEPENDENCE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Personality traits play a crucial role in shaping individuals' behaviors, emotional responses, and social interactions. Personality is a combination of enduring patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that distinguish individuals and influence their relationships with others (McCrae & Costa, 2019). Interpersonal dependence, on the other hand, refers to the extent to which individuals rely on others for emotional and psychological support (Deci & Ryan, 2020). Among undergraduates, personality traits significantly impact their level of interpersonal dependence, affecting their social networks, academic success, and overall well-being (Roberts et al., 2021).

The Big Five Personality Model, which includes extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience, has been widely used to examine the influence of personality on various psychological and social outcomes (John et al., 2021). Extraversion is associated with high social engagement and reliance on interpersonal relationships, while neuroticism tends to increase dependence due to heightened emotional instability (Van den Akker et al., 2019). Conversely, individuals with high conscientiousness tend to be more independent and self-reliant, demonstrating a lower tendency for interpersonal dependence (Oshio et al., 2020).

Several studies have examined the role of personality in shaping interpersonal dependence, especially among young adults. According to Soto (2021), undergraduates with high levels of agreeableness and openness to experience exhibit stronger social ties and a greater tendency to seek support from their peers. Meanwhile, individuals who score high on neuroticism are more prone to excessive dependence on others, leading to difficulties in making autonomous decisions (Widiger, 2020). This suggests that personality traits significantly influence how undergraduates navigate their social environments and build support networks.

In the university environment, interpersonal dependence is a crucial factor that affects students' academic performance, mental health, and personal development. Social support is essential for stress management and academic motivation, but excessive dependence can lead to a lack of autonomy and poor decision-making (Klein & Dweck, 2020). Research by Li et al. (2021) highlights that students with balanced interpersonal dependence demonstrate better problem-solving abilities and resilience in handling academic and social challenges. However, those with excessive dependence may experience higher levels of anxiety and difficulty in handling academic pressure independently (Zhou & Feng, 2019).

Understanding the relationship between personality traits and interpersonal dependence is particularly important for universities in designing support systems that enhance students' psychological well-being. Educational institutions can use this knowledge to develop interventions that foster healthy social relationships and emotional resilience among undergraduates (Bleidorn et al., 2020). Furthermore, by identifying students who exhibit maladaptive interpersonal dependence patterns, university counseling services can tailor programs to encourage self-reliance and confidence-building (Asendorpf & Denissen, 2019).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Personality traits significantly influence interpersonal relationships, and undergraduates often experience challenges related to social dependence. While some students exhibit a balanced approach to social reliance, others struggle with either excessive dependence or extreme independence, both of which can affect their academic and emotional well-being (Roberts et al., 2021). Despite the importance of interpersonal dependence, limited research has explored how specific personality traits contribute to variations in this phenomenon among undergraduates.

Additionally, excessive interpersonal dependence may lead to issues such as decision-making difficulties, academic struggles, and mental health challenges, while extreme independence may result in social isolation and a lack of emotional support (Deci & Ryan, 2020). Given the rising concerns about student mental health and academic performance, there is a need for empirical research to examine the impact of personality traits on interpersonal dependence among undergraduates. This study seeks to bridge this gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between personality traits and interpersonal dependence, offering insights that can inform university policies and student support programs.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to determine the impact of personality traits on interpersonal dependence among undergraduates.

Specific objectives include:

i. To evaluate the impact of personality traits on the level of interpersonal dependence among undergraduates.
ii. To determine the relationship between specific personality traits (e.g., extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness) and interpersonal dependence.
iii. To find out how personality traits influence students' ability to maintain social relationships and autonomy.

1.4 Research Questions

i. What is the impact of personality traits on the level of interpersonal dependence among undergraduates?
ii. What is the relationship between specific personality traits (e.g., extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness) and interpersonal dependence?
iii. How does personality influence students' ability to maintain social relationships and autonomy?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Hypothesis I

H0: There is no significant impact of personality traits on the level of interpersonal dependence among undergraduates.
H1: There is a significant impact of personality traits on the level of interpersonal dependence among undergraduates.

Hypothesis II

H0: There is no significant relationship between specific personality traits (e.g., extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness) and interpersonal dependence.
H2: There is a significant relationship between specific personality traits (e.g., extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness) and interpersonal dependence.

Hypothesis III

H0: There is no significant influence of personality traits on students' ability to maintain social relationships and autonomy.
H3: There is a significant influence of personality traits on students' ability to maintain social relationships and autonomy.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant as it contributes to the growing body of research on personality psychology and social development among young adults. By examining the impact of personality traits on interpersonal dependence, the findings can help educational institutions develop better student support systems (Soto, 2021). The study also provides insights for psychologists and counselors in addressing social and emotional challenges among undergraduates (Bleidorn et al., 2020).

Moreover, this research has practical implications for students, helping them understand how their personality traits influence their social relationships and emotional well-being. By fostering awareness of interpersonal dependence tendencies, undergraduates can develop better coping strategies for social and academic challenges (Li et al., 2021).

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on undergraduates in higher institutions, examining the relationship between personality traits and interpersonal dependence. The study will explore various dimensions of personality, including extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience, and how they relate to social dependence and autonomy. The research will use both quantitative and qualitative approaches to analyze data from a diverse sample of students.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

One limitation of this study is the reliance on self-reported data, which may introduce response biases (Roberts et al., 2021). Additionally, the study focuses on undergraduates within a specific geographical location, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Time constraints and limited resources may also affect the depth of data collection and analysis.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Personality Traits: Enduring patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that define an individual's character (McCrae & Costa, 2019).

Interpersonal Dependence: The extent to which individuals rely on others for emotional and psychological support (Deci & Ryan, 2020).

Extraversion: A personality trait characterized by sociability, assertiveness, and high energy levels (John et al., 2021).

Neuroticism: A personality trait associated with emotional instability, anxiety, and a tendency to experience negative emotions (Widiger, 2020).

Agreeableness: A personality trait that reflects an individual's tendency to be compassionate, cooperative, and trusting in social interactions (Van den Akker et al., 2019).