IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH (IJSSMR )

E-ISSN 2545-5303
P-ISSN 2695-2203
VOL. 11 NO. 5 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijssmr.vol.11no5.2025.pg123.133

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Personality Traits, Life Satisfaction and Prosocial Behaviour among Undergraduate Students of Benue State University, Makurdi

Abraham Tersugh Kwaghgbah PhD, Samuel Terzungwe Anhange PhD

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Abstract

This study investigated personality traits, life satisfaction and prosocial behaviour among undergraduate students of Benue State University, Makurdi. The study employed cross- sectional survey design where 336 participants were used. They consisted of 161 (47.9%) males and 175 (52.1%) females. Their ages ranged from 17-41years with the mean age of 27.4years (SD=5.09). The Ten-Item Personality Inventory, Life Satisfaction Scale and Pro- social Tendency Measure were used to collect data from the participants. Statistical analysis involved the use of Hierarchical regression. Findings indicated that, personality traits significantly influenced pro-social behaviour. However individually, only extraversion and conscientiousness made significant contributions to pro-social behaviour. Similarly, life satisfaction significantly predicted pro-social behaviour. Finally, when age, sex, religion, educational level and ethnic group were controlled, personality traits and life satisfaction jointly influenced pro-social behaviour. It was therefore recommended that, efforts should be made by school psychologists to train and build conscientiousness and extraversion in students so as to increase their propensity to indulge in pro-social behaviour. In addition, focus should be directed towards factors that will enhance students’ satisfaction with life which will predispose them to engage in pro-social behaviour.

keywords:

Personality traits, Life satisfaction, Pro-social behaviour, undergraduates.

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