Exploring the Reliability and Validity of a Tigrignan Translation of the NEO-PI-R in an Eritrean Sample

Abstract

The Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality is one of the most prominent models of personality particularly in the field of personality assessment and the NEO-PI-R is regarded amongst the best operationalisations of the FFM. The FFM and the NEO-PI-R have demonstrated applicability in over 50 cultures however its applicability in Asian and African cultures is not as well documented as in the more western cultures. Furthermore, the NEO-PI-R has been translated into many languages throughout the world so as to assess the applicability of the FFM across different cultural groupings. However, this is not the case in Eastern African region and particularly in Eritrea. In addition the NEO-PI-R has the potential to be used counseling services, clinical practices, vocational counseling, industrial and educational contexts. Thus, this study translated the NEO-PI-R into Tigrignan and explored the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the Tigrignan translation in a sample of 436 Eritrean individuals. From the results it was evident that the domains of Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were fairly well replicated. However Extraversion and Openness to Experience were not with the results suggesting that these domains may manifest differently amongst Eritrean individuals.

Keywords: culture, Five-Factor Model, NEO-PI-R, personality, personality assessment