International comparison of gender differences in the five-factor model of personality: An investigation across 105 countries

Researchers have been interested in cross-cultural gender differences in personality for decades. Early research on the five-factor (FFM) model of personality focused on estimating the difference between men and women on personality dimensions, however results have varied. Using a large cross-country sample of personality data and advanced analytic techniques, we uncover accurate estimates of cross-country gender differences in personality. Relatively small ((delta) over bar < vertical bar 0.10 vertical bar) cross-country gender differences emerged on most FFM dimensions, with the largest differences emerging for Emotional Stability (<(delta)over bar> = 0.38) and Agreeableness ((delta) over bar = -0.17). After controlling for socioeconomic indicators, gender indicators, and Type I error, only country-level Individualism accounted for unique variance in effect size differences for Emotional Stability. Implications and future directions are discussed. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study reveals that cross-country gender differences in personality dimensions are relatively small, with Emotional Stability and Agreeableness showing the largest discrepancies. Only Individualism at the country level accounted for unique variance in Emotional Stability differences.