PERSONALITY TRAITS AND COMPLEXION AS PREDICTORS OF SUBJECTIVE HAPPINESS AMONG UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate personality traits and complexion as predictors of subjective happiness among undergraduates. Three hundred (300) participants were employed in the study. They all consist of students from five faculties of Nnamdi Azikiwe University who were randomly sampled. Their age ranged from 16-30, with a mean age of 23.1 and standard deviation of .82. Two instruments adopted for the study namely; Brief Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) which consists of 4 items developed by (Lyubomirsky & Lepper 1999) and Ten Items Personality Inventory (TIPI) that consists of 10 items developed by Gosling etal, (2003).

The study adopted predictive research design, while multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses. The first hypothesis which stated that personality traits will not significantly predict subjective happiness among undergraduates was accepted (Openness to experience, agreeableness, consciousness, neuroticism and extroversion). The finding implies that openness to experience (B=.067, t, 1.367, Sig<.289). Also, conscientiousness (B= .103, t, 1.706, Sig<.089) extraversion (B=.075, t, 1.180, Sig<.239), agreeableness (B= 0.13, t, .221, sig<.825), neuroticism (B = -82, t, -1.314, sig<.190) respectively. The second hypotheses which stated that complexion will not significantly predict subjective happiness among undergraduates, is also accepted at (B= -.010, t, -.010, sig<.992).

It was recommended that Government should ensure there are Guidance and Counseling offices in schools to properly address the fears of undergraduates pertaining to their personality and complexion in order to deter factors that tamper with their subjective happiness.