Objective: This study investigates the association between Realistic Optimism and Big Five personality traits among Indian university students.

Methodology: A questionnaire survey was conducted at three universities in India, comprising 209 participants aged 18 to 25 (Male: 97, Female: 112). The Realistic Optimism Scale (Nishaat, 2021) was utilized, encompassing Future Orientation, Flexibility, and Will/Courage factors, alongside the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (Gosling et al., 2003). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient analysis.

Result: Results revealed a positive correlation between realistic optimism and Big Five personality dimensions. Notably, realistic optimism was significantly associated with Emotional Stability (r = .37, p < .01), Agreeableness (r = .28, p < .01), Openness (r = .21, p < .01), and Conscientiousness (r = .15, p < .05). Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between realistic optimism subcomponents and Big Five traits. Future Orientation demonstrated a positive correlation with Agreeableness (r = .30, p < .01), Emotional Stability (r = .20, p < .01), and Openness (r = .19, p < .05). Flexibility exhibited positive correlations with Emotional Stability (r = .36, p < .01) and Agreeableness (r = .22, p < .01). Additionally, a significant correlation emerged between Hope/Will Power and Emotional Stability (r = .18, p < .01). Conclusion: This study underscores the positive relationship between realistic optimism and personality traits, particularly emphasizing the impact of emotional stability on optimism. The correlation between Flexibility and Emotional Stability and Agreeableness suggests that adaptable individuals tend to exhibit emotional stability and agreeableness in challenging circumstances.

Authors:
Aneesah Nishaat, Higashi Nippon International University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
I am Aneesah Nishaat from India. I have completed my PhD from Soka University of Japan. My research area is positive psychology. Mainly, it is related to comparative study of optimism between India and Japan.

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