Author(s)

Zhang Jinming ¹, Xiong Hongxing ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China

Corresponding Author

Xiong Hongxing

ABSTRACT

In the context of diverse stressors in modern society, the mechanisms of individual differences in stress adaptation have become a critical focus of psychological research. While the independent effects of Big Five personality traits and psychological resilience—as core variables influencing stress coping—have been extensively explored, the interactive mechanisms between these factors remain under-theorized. This paper critically synthesizes interdisciplinary literature to construct a "Trait-Resilience-Context" dynamic interaction model, elucidating synergistic pathways between Big Five personality dimensions (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness) and psychological resilience in stress adaptation. Key findings include: (1) Personality traits interact with resilience through tripartite pathways—emotional regulation, cognitive appraisal, and behavioral coping. Notably, resilience levels significantly modulate stress vulnerability in highly neurotic individuals, while conscientiousness synergizes with resilience to amplify goal-directed coping efficacy. (2) Interactive effects are moderated by stressor type (acute/chronic), social support, and developmental stages—for instance, openness enhances cognitive restructuring through resilience predominantly in chronic stress contexts. (3) Competing theoretical frameworks (compensatory vs. reinforcement models) require reconciliation via cross-disciplinary integration of neurobiological and developmental evidence. This review proposes the Dual-Engine Theory of Stress Adaptation, emphasizing the complementary and dynamic resource mobilization between personality and resilience. The framework informs personalized mental health interventions and highlights future directions, including gene-environment-trait cross-level interactions and personality-tailored resilience training protocols.

KEYWORDS

Big Five personality traits; psychological resilience; stress coping; interactive effects; dynamic model

CITE THIS PAPER

Zhang Jinming, Xiong Hongxing, Big Five Personality Traits and Resilience in Stress Coping: Exploring Interactive Mechanisms. Applied & Educational Psychology (2025) Vol. 6: 177-182. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/appep.2025.060125.

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