Link between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Five Factor Model Traits among Filipinos

Authors:
Marc Eric S. Reyes, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Roger D. Davis, Institute for the Study of Personality
Kevin Miko M. Buac, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Louise Isabelle B. Dumaguing, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Emmanuelle D. L. Lapidez, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Cyrene A. Pangilinan, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Wynelaine P. Sy, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Jeshiela S. Ubaldo, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Email: msreyes@ust.edu.ph
Published: November 19, 2018
https://doi.org/10.22492/ijpbs.4.2.06

Citation: Reyes, M. E. S., Davis, R. D., Buac, K. M. M., Dumaguing, L. I. B., Lapidez, E. D. L., Pangilina, C. A., Sy, W. P., & Ubaldo, J. S. (2018). Link between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Five Factor Model Traits among Filipinos. IAFOR Journal of Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.22492/ijpbs.4.2.06


Abstract

The relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and personality pathology is a growing area of research. Problems with the categorical model of personality disorders have led researchers to explore the relationship between dimensional models of personality and ACEs. Seven hundred seventeen Filipinos, aged between 18 and 87, completed the ACE-IQ and NEO-FFI-3. Results revealed all Five Factor Model (FFM) traits were influenced by ACEs. In general, ACEs increased neuroticism (decreased emotional stability), decreased extraversion (increased introversion), decreased agreeableness (increased antagonism), and decreased conscientiousness (increased disinhibition). For openness, however, the relationship was complex. Some ACEs were positively correlated with openness, while others were negatively correlated, leading to no significant correlation between openness and total ACE-IQ score. ACEs thus affect the total personality, including openness. Understanding the relationship between ACEs and personality pathology, however, may involve going beyond the ACE-IQ total score in order to examine the influence of particular ACEs. In our study, 12 of 13 ACE categories were significantly correlated with at least one FFM trait, the exception being community violence.

Keywords

adverse childhood experience, five factor model traits, personality disorders, Filipinos