ISSN: 2222-6990
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This study examined the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and life satisfaction among Generation Z (Gen Z) adults aged 18–28 in Malaysia. Specifically, it assessed the level of life satisfaction, examined its associations with the five personality traits, and identified the traits that contributed most strongly to life satisfaction. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, with data collected through an online survey involving 422 Gen Z respondents in Malaysia. Personality traits were assessed using the 50-item International Personality Item Pool (IPIP-50), while life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Data were analysed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression. The findings showed that respondents reported a high level of life satisfaction. Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Emotional Stability were each positively and significantly relationship with life satisfaction. However, when the personality traits were examined simultaneously, only Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Openness emerged as significant predictors, with Extraversion showing the strongest unique contribution. Collectively, the personality traits explained 46.1% of the variance in life satisfaction. These findings suggest that personality is meaningfully associated with how Malaysian Gen Z adults evaluate their lives, although the contribution differs across individual traits. In particular, the stronger contribution of Extraversion may reflect the relevance of social engagement and interpersonal orientation to life satisfaction within this population. The findings extend the understanding of personality and subjective well-being among Malaysian Gen Z and may inform the development of student and youth support initiatives that recognise individual differences in personality.
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