Gender differences in the relationship between perceived discrimination and personality traits in young adulthood: Evidence using sibling fixed effects

Citation

Kim, Jinho; Song, Kyungeun; & Sutin, Angelina R. (2021). Gender differences in the relationship between perceived discrimination and personality traits in young adulthood: Evidence using sibling fixed effects. Social Science & Medicine. vol. 286

Abstract

Rationale Although perceived discrimination (PD) is known to be associated with personality traits, family background characteristics may confound this association. Moreover, little is known about whether the relationship differs by gender. Objective This study investigates whether the association between PD and personality traits is confounded by family background characteristics. Given gender differences in contexts and perceptions of discrimination as well as personality traits, this study also explores whether the association between PD and personality traits differs for men and women. Methods Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study examines the association between PD and Big Five personality traits among young adults. This study uses sibling fixed effects models with a lagged dependent variable to account for unobservable family-level characteristics, such as genetics, parental characteristics, family environment, and childhood social contexts. Results Sibling fixed effects estimates showed that PD was associated with lower levels of conscientiousness and extraversion and higher levels of neuroticism. There were also gender differences such that PD was associated with lower conscientiousness only for women and lower extraversion only for men. The positive association with neuroticism was apparent for both men and women. Conclusion This study suggests that the association between PD and personality traits is generally not confounded by stable family-level characteristics shared by siblings. This study also documents gender differences in the relationship between PD and personality traits. Given substantial implications of personality for a broad range of outcomes, especially among young adults, the findings of this study reaffirm the commitment of the whole society to eradicate any form of discrimination.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114329

Keyword(s)

Discrimination

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Social Science & Medicine

Author(s)

Kim, Jinho
Song, Kyungeun
Sutin, Angelina R.

Year Published

2021

Volume Number

286

DOI

10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114329

Reference ID

9468