Neuroticism is a measure of general sensitivity to negative emotions such as pain, sadness, irritability or defensiveness, fear, and anxiety. It can also be seen from its positive side, namely emotional stability.
People with high scores are often worried, anxious, self-conscious, and vulnerable to stress and depression. This may be because these disruptive emotions interfere with adaptation, and people with high neuroticism also tend to have irrational ideas, have less control over their impulses, and have more difficulty managing stress.
People with low neuroticism scores rarely focus on negative elements, anxieties, and uncertainties of the past, present, and future. They are rarely confronted with periods of unhappiness, anxiety, and irritability, unless faced with a serious, lasting issue. Even in these conditions, they cope well, don't worry excessively, and recover quickly when stressed. They keep a cool head in a storm and are rarely self-pitying. They tend to have a much higher self-esteem, especially when they also have a medium or above-average score in extraversion. They are at low risk for developing anxiety disorders or depression (again, particularly if they have a medium or above-average score in extraversion). When good things happen to them, people with low neuroticism can accept it without questioning whether they deserve it. They are generally satisfied with their relationships and career. Overall, they are stress-tolerant and can accept failures and setbacks in life. Low neuroticism is associated with reduced concerns about mental and physical health, a significant decrease in doctor and emergency room visits, and reduced absenteeism at work and school (unless accompanied by a very low level of conscientiousness). People with low neuroticism can manage risks better, without over-worrying about their health. They are rarely concerned with security and can more easily handle recreational, professional, financial, and social situations where the possibility of loss is higher. They find it much less stressful to consider and implement career changes and other transformations that could improve their life. Therefore, a low neuroticism score seems to be an enviable situation, but people with a low score can also become too careless and prone to underestimating potential threats in their environment.
There is a likelihood that individuals with high scores in this dimension may be affected by various types of psychiatric problems (Kotov, Gamez, Schmidt & Watson, 2010). However, the neuroticism scale should not be considered a measure of psychopathology. A person can, indeed, have a high score in neuroticism without necessarily suffering from a psychiatric disorder. Conversely, not all psychiatric disorders necessarily involve a high score in neuroticism. For example, an individual may have an antisocial personality - which is considered a personality disorder - without having a high neuroticism score.
Neuroticism is not a strong predictor of political belief, whether conservative or liberal. Women tend to have a higher neuroticism score than men. The average woman has a neuroticism score 60% higher than the general population of both men and women combined. This may partly explain why women report being more unhappy in their relationships, work, school, and health compared to men, on average, and why women are responsible for 70% of all divorces. This difference in neuroticism between men and women seems to emerge at puberty. It is most pronounced in countries like Norway and Sweden, where the most efforts are made in terms of gender equality. This clearly shows that biological factors, rather than the environment and learning, explain this disparity.
A person who remains calm and stable in the face of challenges and stressful situations, manages their emotions well, and maintains a positive mindset demonstrates high Emotional Stability.
An individual prone to frequent mood swings, who reacts strongly to stress and difficult situations, and who may be quickly overwhelmed by anxiety, demonstrates lower Emotional Stability.
A mental health professional who helps others cope with anxiety and depression, promotes emotional resilience, and maintains personal emotional balance reflects high Emotional Stability.
A person who struggles to manage stress, reacts excessively to negative events, and is prone to intense emotional reactions demonstrates lower Emotional Stability.