Personality and Aggression Among Students: A Meta-Analysis of Evidence from the Past Twenty Years

Using the Five-Factor Model (FFM), the HEXACO model of personality, and the Dark Triad (DT) as theoretical frameworks, this study conducted a meta-analysis of 150 domestic and international articles published over the past two decades to investigate the relation between personality traits and aggression among the student population. The results showed that, firstly, FFM-neuroticism and DT traits (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism) were positively correlated with aggression. Secondly, FFMagreeableness, honesty-humility, HEXACO-agreeableness, and conscientiousness were negatively correlated with aggression. Thirdly, extraversion, openness, and HEXACO-emotionality were not related to aggression. Finally, age and gender did not moderate the relationship between personality traits and aggression, while culture moderated the relationship between the two personality traits (i.e., FFM-agreeableness and openness) and aggression. These findings provide implications for preventing aggression and violence in school setting.