Relation between personality factors and tendency to violence: The mediating role of identity status

The present study investigated the relationship between the five factors of personality and tendency to violence and the role of identity status as a possible mediating variable. Method of the present study was correlational and the statistical population included all single postgraduate students studying in state universities in the City of Tehran. Using cross sectional sampling, 458 students (267 girls and 218 boys) were selected. Participants completed the short form of NEO McCrae and Costa (1987) Personality Inventory, The extended version of the Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status Adams (1985) and the Violence Index of Youth Risk Factors Questionnaire Zadeh Mohammadi, Ahmadabadi (2011). Neurotic personality factor had a positive relationship with violence and openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness personality factors showed a negative relationship with violent tendency index. Path analysis showed an indirect significant effect of neurosis and conscientiousness on tendency to violence with a mediating effect of diffused status of identity. Also result showed an indirect effect of extroversion and openness personality factors on violence with a mediating effect of moratorium status of identity. The present study confirms the relationship between personality and tendency to violence and the mediating role of identity in the relationship between personality and violence.