Examining The Impact of Personality Traits on Decision Making Among University Students: Moderating Role of Emotional Intelligence

Abstract

Decisions Making styles are varying from person to person, often shaped by one’s personality traits. However, emotional intelligence (EI) may also play a moderating role. The present study examined the impact of personality traits on decision-making styles among university students, considering EI as a moderator. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Riphah International University Malakand Campus using a sample of 256 students selected through Taro Yamani’s formula. Standardized instruments, including the Big Five Inventory, Decision Style Inventory, and Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), were used. Results revealing that openness showed positive correlation with extroversion (r = .35), and agreeableness (r = .29), while conscientiousness was also positively associated with several traits. Regarding decision-making styles, directive style correlated with neuroticism (r=.15) and openness (r=.30), analytical with openness (r=.29), and conceptual was negatively correlated with neuroticism (r = –.14). WLEIS showed strong correlations with openness (r = .48) and several decision styles including directive (r = .38), analytical (r = .37), and behavioral (r = .29). WLEIS showed negative correlations with conscientiousness (r = –.14), conceptual (r = –.29), and directive (r = –.42) styles. However, moderation analysis revealed no significant interaction effects except a weak moderation of EI between conscientiousness and directive style (p = .048). Findings suggest that while EI enhances decision-making, it does not significantly alter personality-driven effects. These findings support the development of interventions aimed at enhancing EI to improve decision making among university students.

Keywords: Personality Traits, Decision Making Styles, Emotional Intelligence, University Students