An Exploration of the Big-Five Personality Traits among the Priests of the Catholic Diocese of Yola in Nigeria

Personality awareness has been regarded as a significant part of growth and personal development among the clergy across the world. The study was aimed to understand the Big Five personality traits among Catholic priests in the Diocese of Yola, Nigeria. The study was grounded in the Five-Factor Theory of Personality. The study employed descriptive research design. The study utilized a sample size of 48 priests using a census method. The data was collected using the Big Five Inventory (BFI-20). The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and particularly mean with SPSS Version 32. The results showed that priests had a mean extraversion score of 3.25 with a standard deviation of 0.76, suggesting a moderate level of sociability and energy, leaning slightly toward introversion. A mean score of 3.47 and a standard deviation of 0.68 for agreeableness indicate a moderately high level of compassion, altruism, and cooperation among the priests. With a mean score of 3.55 and the lowest standard deviation (0.59), conscientiousness appears to be the most dominant and consistent personality trait among the priests. The mean score of 3.54 for openness, with a standard deviation of 0.62, suggests that the priests generally exhibit intellectual curiosity and imagination, though some variability exists and finally, the mean neuroticism score of 3.18 with a higher standard deviation of 0.81 indicates moderate emotional sensitivity, with notable variation among individuals. The study recommends to the Bishops and Superiors of congregations to consider organizing seminars and workshops to the priests in order to create more awareness on their personality growth and development.