Two behavioural indicators of dependency and the Five-Factor Model of personality

Residence with parents and unemployment during studies were chosen as the two behavioural indicators of dependency among 601 undergraduate students. Students completed a demographic questionnaire, Costa and McCrae's (1992) NEO-FFI and Beck, Davis, and Freeman's (1990) Typical Beliefs of DPD. Unemployed students, living with their parents, were found to be significantly more dependent, neurotic and agreeable and less extraverted, conscientious and open than employed students who did not reside with their parents. Residing with parents during one's studies was the strongest predictor of dependency and neuroticism, followed by unemployment. Unemployed male students, who resided with their parents, were the most dependent, neurotic and agreeable and the least open, extraverted and conscientious group. The relationship between dependency and the Big Five is also discussed.