Religiosity and personality: evidence for non-linear associations

Within Eysenckʹs 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 Eysenckʹs three factors. Participants were divided into quartiles of religiosity and compared on the personality scales. The linear association with Psychoticism reported in previous studies was replicated. However, there were also quadratic associations with all personality traits, but particularly with Psychoticism and Extraversion. The most and least religious quartiles tended to be higher in Psychoticism and lower in Extraversion. These results show that previous research, which has examined only linear associations, has given an incomplete picture.