Cross-level moderate effects of group identification on relationship between personality and sub-health symptoms in teachers

Objective To explore moderate effects of group identification on the relationship between personality and sub-health symptoms in teachers.Methods Totally 2 100 teachers were selected with stratified random cluster sampling from 22 primary and high schools in 15 municipalities of 7 provinces and investigated using Big Five Inventory,Sub-Health State Comprehensive Assessment Questionnaire,and Group Identification Scale.Results The average score of sub-health symptoms was 49.81±9.83 for the teachers;no significant between-gender difference (F=0.23,P>0.05) but significant between-age difference (F=4.104,P<0.01) in the score were observed and age was a positive predictor for sub-health symptoms (β=0.205,P<0.001).Among the teachers,the average conscientiousness score was 3.57±0.54 and it negatively predicted the sub-health symptoms (β=-3.572,P<0.001);the average extraversion score was 3.31±0.57 and it negatively predicted the sub-health symptoms (β=-2.557,P<0.001);the average neuroticism score was 2.66±0.61 and it positively predicted the sub-health symptoms (β=6.867,P<0.001);the teachers' average group identity score was 10.71±2.79.Hierarchical liner model analyses showed that there was an interactive effect between group identity and neuroticism on sub-health symptoms (β=-1.344,P<0.05).Conclusion Age and personality traits may be risk factors of sub-health status and group level identity could alleviate negative effect of neuroticism trait on sub-health symptoms among primary and high school teachers.