Which personality trait is associated with anxiety, tension, and emotional instability?

The personality trait associated with anxiety, tension, and emotional instability is neuroticism. Individuals who score high in neuroticism may experience frequent mood swings, feelings of sadness, and heightened levels of emotional distress. This trait is characterized by a tendency to experience negative emotions, which can include anxiety, irritability, and vulnerability to stress.

In contrast, extraversion is associated with sociability, assertiveness, and high levels of positive emotions, making it less related to anxiety and emotional instability. The terms behavioral and cognitive relate more broadly to actions and thought processes rather than specific emotional traits, and they do not specifically capture the anxiety and emotional instability linked to neuroticism. By understanding neuroticism, one can better grasp how it influences behavior and emotional experiences in various contexts, including juvenile delinquency.