Do Personality Traits Impact Coaching & Therapy Outcomes?

As young people, we often feel desperate to display our individuality yet also find a group in which we feel secure.

When I was a student, my passion for indie music outside mainstream radio playlists served a key role in my identity, providing a feeling of originality and a sense of belonging.

Finding ourselves doesn’t need to stop in our 20s. Personality psychology explores the enduring characteristics that make each of us unique across entire lifespans.

Psychologists and researchers provide us with details about multiple personality traits (or qualities) with which we can identify ourselves and differentiate from those around us.

This article explores several key personality models and how traits can influence outcomes in coaching and therapy.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Strengths Exercises for free. These detailed, science-based exercises will help your clients realize their unique potential and create a life that feels energizing and authentic.

Personality Traits vs. Personality Types: What’s the Difference?

Personality psychologists differ in their definition of personality traits.

While some focus on the internal properties of personality traits and how they cause our behavior, others suggest they describe “the enduring aspects of a person’s behavior” (Larsen et al., 2017, p. 50).

Either way, personality traits are typically considered to exist on a scale. For example, each of us has a place on the extraversion dimension, somewhere between “very extrovert” and “very introvert” (Cooper, 2021).

On the other hand, personality types have no gray area. Such models suggest that everyone can be placed in one of a series of boxes in response to an appropriate assessment or series of observations (Cooper, 2021).

While models such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator are prevalent in business and technology, most psychologists and researchers favor trait models because they recognize the individual uniqueness of personality characteristics (Larsen et al., 2017).

Brian Little talks about those moments when we transcend our traits in “Who Are You, Really? The Puzzle of Personality.”

7 Alternative Personality Models Explained

Psychologists have proposed many taxonomies to understand personality.

Here are seven of the most popular:

1. Eysenck’s three-factor PEN model

Until his death in 1998, personality expert Hans Eysenck was the most cited psychologist in academic literature (Larsen et al., 2017).

Eysenck proposed a three-factor personality model often referred to by its initials, PEN (Funder, 2001; Larsen et al., 2017):

• Psychoticism
  A high scorer, typically described as a “loner,” lacks empathy and can have a history of cruelty and criminal acts. They may also display heightened creativity and impulsivity.
• Extraversion
  Increased sociability further up the scale is linked to assertiveness, liveliness, and playfulness.
• Neuroticism
  The more neurotic may experience heightened irritability, anxiousness, guilt, and a lack of self-esteem.

In recent years, the PEN model has largely been superseded by five- or six-factor models (Larsen et al., 2017).

2. Cattell’s 16 personality factor model

Born in England in 1905, Raymond Cattell later went to the United States to research how to identify and measure the units of personality (Larsen et al., 2017).

Cattell’s model soon became significantly more fine-grained than others.

Here are his 16 distinct personality traits, along with descriptions of possible behavior at the low and high ends of each range (Cattell et al., 2008):

Subsequent research suggests we can group individual traits into fewer, overarching factors (Cattell et al., 2008; Larsen et al., 2017).

3. Big Five traits model

The Big Five traits model is usually regarded as the most popular and widely tested personality model. It consists of five separate traits, described below with examples characteristic of individuals at the high end of each trait (Costa & McCrae, 1976, 1992; Cooper, 2021).

• Openness to experience: Imaginative, novelty-seeking, and tolerant.
• Conscientiousness: Self-disciplined, motivated to achieve, and competent
• Extraversion: Assertive, warm, gregarious, and active
• Agreeableness: Cooperative, straightforward, modest, and trusting
• Neuroticism: Hostile, depressed, angry, and anxious

Our article, Using the Big Five Personality Traits (OCEAN) in Practice offers a deep dive into each of the Big Five and how they impact our lives.

4. HEXACO model

The HEXACO model of personality arising from Ashton and Lee’s (2007) cross-cultural research identifies an additional dimension not found in the Big Five trait model (Cooper, 2021), which is honesty–humility.

While the HEXACO model’s emotionality, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience map closely to the earlier model, honesty–humility recognizes the importance of sincerity, modesty, avoiding greed, and fairness (Cooper, 2021).

5. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

The work of psychoanalyst Carl Jung influenced the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) (Larsen et al., 2017).

Rather than score against a scale, individuals are placed in distinct categories, for example (Larsen et al., 2017):

• Extraversion versus introversion
• Sensing versus intuition
• Thinking versus feeling
• Judging versus perceiving

Despite over 3 million people taking the test worldwide and its popularity in the business world, academics and researchers typically disregard it in favor of personality measures that exist in degrees rather than clear-cut, individual labels (Larsen et al., 2017).

6. Enneagram of Personality

The Enneagram of Personality is another popular personality framework, identifying nine interconnected personality types, such as the reformer/perfectionist, the individualist, and the enthusiast/adventurer. Each has a set of characteristic motivations, behavioral patterns, and fears (Daniels & Price, 2009).

Rather than focusing solely on traits, the model examines core drives and coping styles to understand how we respond to inner and outer challenges.

While many coaches find the Enneagram approach valuable for building on core motivations and self-awareness, psychologists highlight the lack of large-scale, peer-reviewed research (Huber, 2020).

7. The dark triad

The dark triad refers to an individual’s willingness to manipulate or exploit others and act in a callous way. Three personality traits are believed to be involved (Cooper, 2021).

• Narcissism
  Being high in this trait might indicate a grandiose person, boastful or exaggerating their accomplishments, entitled, and with a strong need for admiration
• Machiavellianism
  Someone high in this trait engages in strategic and most likely underhand manipulation and deception and adopts an exploitative interpersonal style.
• Psychopathy
  People high in this trait lack empathy or remorse and risk involvement in criminal behavior.

Researchers have found strong correlations between all three traits (Cooper, 2021).

What Personality Research Tells Us About Mental Wellbeing

Researchers suggest a clear connection between personality and mental wellbeing.

For example, studies have found that a high degree of neuroticism is predictive of an individual’s vulnerability to stress and anxiety (VanderWeele, 2017).

High scores in the Big Five traits of agreeableness and conscientiousness may help build and maintain strong social connections and healthy eating and lifestyle habits that support positive moods (Bucher et al., 2019).

How Do Personality Traits Affect Therapy & Coaching Outcomes?

Research suggests that personality traits are essential in how we engage with coaching and therapy (Bucher et al., 2019).

A recent study found evidence for links between client characteristics and treatment outcomes (Bucher et al., 2019):

• High scores in agreeableness appear to promote a more robust therapeutic alliance.
• Being high in conscientiousness seems to influence attendance and completion of homework between sessions.
• High neuroticism may negatively affect the adoption and effective use of coping skills.

A List of 7 Personality Traits & Examples

Other potential personality traits are also worth considering, even briefly:

Resilience

Resilient people typically bounce back or find a new way forward following adversity (Neenan, 2018).

Highly resilient individuals often cope with setbacks by reframing negative events and persisting despite the most demanding challenges (Hu et al., 2015).

After a tennis match injury, a resilient individual focuses on recovery exercises, maintains a positive outlook, and follows the guidance of their physiotherapist.

Empathy and compassion

Empathy is linked to our ability and capacity to understand another person’s feelings, while compassion increases our desire to alleviate their suffering (Ashton & Lee, 2007).

Therapy may uncover a lack of empathy or compassion. Clients may benefit from practicing walking in someone else’s shoes and compassionate perspective taking (Ashton & Lee, 2007; Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2015).

A compassionate person recognizes that a close friend is having a tough time following a breakup. They offer a sympathetic ear and also arrange positive, forward-looking activities.

Optimist vs. pessimist

Optimism and pessimism refer to someone’s outlook. An optimistic individual anticipates good outcomes and recognizes setbacks as temporary, while someone who is pessimistic expects the worst and ruminates on what is likely to go wrong (Conversano et al., 2010).

The optimist stuck in traffic takes time to listen to a podcast or music, while the pessimist is stressed about a meeting they will be late for.

Type A and Type B personalities

Friedman and Rosenman (1974) describe Type A individuals as displaying coronary-prone behavior. They are highly ambitious, competitive, and sometimes hostile. On the other hand, Type B individuals are better able to handle stress calmly, maintaining flexible schedules without overcommitting.

A Type A person sets rigid deadlines during a planning meeting and is irritated when tasks fall behind. The Type B person next to them adapts easily and encourages teammates to overcome the obstacles in front of them.

Are There Bad or Negative Personality Traits?

Psychologists may describe personality traits as being value-neutral, rather than good or bad, positive or negative; however, some can predict problematic outcomes (Kjærvik & Bushman, 2021).

Are they problematic for wellbeing?

Having high scores in personality traits such as neuroticism and psychopathy can be harmful to inner wellbeing and damage relationships that could otherwise support mental wellness (Kjærvik & Bushman, 2021).

In some cases, personality disorders can be thought of as pathological extremes of otherwise standard trait dimensions (Bucher et al., 2019).

4 ways to support

Coaching and therapy are effective in reducing the impact of trait extremes. Clients can learn how to (Bucher et al., 2019):

• Recognize and understand their traits and their potential effects
• Reframe personality traits into strengths
• Use coping skills to manage personality extremes
• Create or find environments that align with their personalities

How to Adapt Your Therapeutic Approach to Your Client’s Personality

Once we recognize and accept that personality influences successful therapeutic outcomes, we can see the benefit of assessing our client’s personality traits early on (Bucher et al., 2019).

The results can highlight their potential strengths and barriers and how treatment can be adapted to either.

For example, an extravert may benefit from the social interaction provided by group therapy. In contrast, therapists working with clients who are low in agreeableness can focus on maintaining engagement and addressing resistance to change (Bucher et al., 2019).

Conscientious individuals may prefer highly structured therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy. At the same time, those strong in openness to experience may react positively to exploring and implementing new perspectives and approaches (Bucher et al., 2019).

5 Positive Traits & How They Contribute to Flourishing

Increasing our focus on positive traits can benefit flourishing and enhance optimal functioning. For example, (Cooper, 2021; VanderWeele, 2017; Larsen et al., 2017):

• Optimism supports a positive outlook that enhances mental wellness, increases resilience, and boosts overall life satisfaction.
• Resilience helps individuals cope with and overcome stress and adversity.
• Generosity fosters social connections through promoting community and deeper, stronger relationships that support mental and physical wellness.
• Forgiveness reduces negative emotions, such as anger and resentment.
• Gratitude increases other positive emotions, such as optimism and resilience, and strengthens social bonds.

More Resources From PositivePsychology.com

We have many resources available for therapists to identify, understand, and better use their awareness of personality traits in therapy.

Our free resources include:

• Coping Styles Formation
  Identifying a client’s vulnerabilities and coping strategies is essential to building resilience.
• Listening Accurately Worksheet
  These five steps are powerful tools for improving empathy and communication.
• Creating Realistic Optimism for Resilience
  Use this worksheet to help positively appraise a situation to build a more resilient outlook.

More extensive versions of the following tools are available with a subscription to the Positive Psychology Toolkit©, but they are described briefly below:

• Kindness Quest
  Practicing kindness supports positive personality traits in children, such as empathy and gratefulness. Try out the following four steps:
  • Step one – Talk with your child about the importance of kindness (or another positive trait or emotion).
  • Step two – Identify and discuss acts of kindness they’ve engaged in or witnessed.
  • Step three – Choose one action of kindness to perform each day.
  • Step four – At the end of the day, reflect on the following questions:

What exactly did you do to be kind today?
How did you feel when you were kind?
How do you think the other person felt when you were kind to them?
How do you think your kindness made their day better?

• Setting Compassionate Boundaries
  Compassionate boundaries ensure individuals protect their wellbeing and sense of self while considering the feelings and needs of others.

Try out the following four steps:

• • Step one – Reflect on your values and where you may need to set boundaries in your life. They could be psychological, emotional, and/or physical.
  • Step two – Think about how these boundaries affect those around you.

Consider:

How might this boundary change your usual interactions?
What misunderstandings could arise, and how can they be mitigated?
Are there any positive outcomes that might result from this boundary for all parties?

• • Step three – Create boundary statements that start with “I.” For example, “I need space sometimes when I come home from work.”
  • Step four – Share your boundaries with those close to you in a clear, calm, and respectful tone.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others develop their strengths, this collection contains 17 strength-finding tools for practitioners. Use them to help others better understand and harness their strengths in life-enhancing ways.

A Take-Home Message

Identifying and understanding personality traits is a vital skill for individuals and mental health professionals working with clients.

Each of us benefits from understanding which factors of our personality influence how we think and behave and the feelings that arise as a result.

Understanding our clients’ needs and challenges is vital in therapy. Through assessment and observation, we can recognize individual and composite traits that support or hold them back in treatment and in life, impact coping skills, or damage their resilience.

While there are many personality trait models, the best one will always be the one that supports a positive outcome for our clients. One size may not suit everyone. Instead, we must learn multiple models and tailor their use to build a deeper therapeutic alliance and align who the client really is with their environment and their goals.

After all, while some traits are labeled positive or negative, they all have the potential to become strengths when used to support growth and stronger connections with the self and those around them.

When we share that awareness with our clients, we, in a very real sense, create opportunities for valuable transformations, mental and physical wellbeing, and flourishing in their lives.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Strengths Exercises for free.