State Neuroticism at Home and in Fiji: The Positive Effects of Having a Holiday to Reset Mind and Brain
Neuroticism, i.e., the disposition to experiencing feelings of emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and anger, is often considered a relatively stable and fundamental personality characteristic (trait neuroticism). However, the level of neuroticism can also vary within individuals (sta...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Tourism and Hospitality |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/3/4/50 |
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| author | Pauline A. Hendriksen Lizanne Arnoldy Joris C. Verster |
| author_facet | Pauline A. Hendriksen Lizanne Arnoldy Joris C. Verster |
| author_sort | Pauline A. Hendriksen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Neuroticism, i.e., the disposition to experiencing feelings of emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and anger, is often considered a relatively stable and fundamental personality characteristic (trait neuroticism). However, the level of neuroticism can also vary within individuals (state neuroticism), depending on external factors such as life events and work stress. The aim of the current study was to examine to what extent having a holiday can reduce state neuroticism. A survey was conducted among <i>n</i> = 213 young adults who were on holiday in Fiji (mean ± SD age of 24.5 ± 4.3, 46.9% women). In addition to demographics, they completed the neuroticism scale of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire—revised Short Scale (EPQ-RSS). Compared to at home, a significant reduction (<i>p</i> < 0.001) in neuroticism was reported when they were on holiday (mean ± SD of 4.5 ± 3.0 versus 2.1 ± 2.3, respectively). The effect was seen in both men and women. Women had significantly higher neuroticism ratings than men, both at home (mean ± SD of 5.4 ± 2.9 versus 3.6 ± 2.9, respectively, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and on holiday (mean ± SD of 2.5 ± 2.4 versus 1.6 ± 2.0, respectively, <i>p</i> < 0.001). No significant differences were seen between individuals with a job at home or students. The correlation between neuroticism at home and the difference rating in neuroticism (‘at home’—‘in Fiji’ assessment) was highly significant (r = 0.68, <i>p</i> < 0.001). In conclusion, having a holiday was associated with significantly reduced levels of neuroticism. Those with the highest levels of neuroticism at home benefited the most from having a holiday. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:47:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-29e866303e08407690ae4c7d0faf892c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-5768 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:47:27Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Tourism and Hospitality |
| spelling | doaj.art-29e866303e08407690ae4c7d0faf892c2023-11-24T18:24:21ZengMDPI AGTourism and Hospitality2673-57682022-09-013480981510.3390/tourhosp3040050State Neuroticism at Home and in Fiji: The Positive Effects of Having a Holiday to Reset Mind and BrainPauline A. Hendriksen0Lizanne Arnoldy1Joris C. Verster2Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The NetherlandsCentre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC 3122, AustraliaDivision of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The NetherlandsNeuroticism, i.e., the disposition to experiencing feelings of emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and anger, is often considered a relatively stable and fundamental personality characteristic (trait neuroticism). However, the level of neuroticism can also vary within individuals (state neuroticism), depending on external factors such as life events and work stress. The aim of the current study was to examine to what extent having a holiday can reduce state neuroticism. A survey was conducted among <i>n</i> = 213 young adults who were on holiday in Fiji (mean ± SD age of 24.5 ± 4.3, 46.9% women). In addition to demographics, they completed the neuroticism scale of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire—revised Short Scale (EPQ-RSS). Compared to at home, a significant reduction (<i>p</i> < 0.001) in neuroticism was reported when they were on holiday (mean ± SD of 4.5 ± 3.0 versus 2.1 ± 2.3, respectively). The effect was seen in both men and women. Women had significantly higher neuroticism ratings than men, both at home (mean ± SD of 5.4 ± 2.9 versus 3.6 ± 2.9, respectively, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and on holiday (mean ± SD of 2.5 ± 2.4 versus 1.6 ± 2.0, respectively, <i>p</i> < 0.001). No significant differences were seen between individuals with a job at home or students. The correlation between neuroticism at home and the difference rating in neuroticism (‘at home’—‘in Fiji’ assessment) was highly significant (r = 0.68, <i>p</i> < 0.001). In conclusion, having a holiday was associated with significantly reduced levels of neuroticism. Those with the highest levels of neuroticism at home benefited the most from having a holiday.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/3/4/50holidayworkneuroticismnegative affectFiji |
| spellingShingle | Pauline A. Hendriksen Lizanne Arnoldy Joris C. Verster State Neuroticism at Home and in Fiji: The Positive Effects of Having a Holiday to Reset Mind and Brain Tourism and Hospitality holiday work neuroticism negative affect Fiji |
| title | State Neuroticism at Home and in Fiji: The Positive Effects of Having a Holiday to Reset Mind and Brain |
| title_full | State Neuroticism at Home and in Fiji: The Positive Effects of Having a Holiday to Reset Mind and Brain |
| title_fullStr | State Neuroticism at Home and in Fiji: The Positive Effects of Having a Holiday to Reset Mind and Brain |
| title_full_unstemmed | State Neuroticism at Home and in Fiji: The Positive Effects of Having a Holiday to Reset Mind and Brain |
| title_short | State Neuroticism at Home and in Fiji: The Positive Effects of Having a Holiday to Reset Mind and Brain |
| title_sort | state neuroticism at home and in fiji the positive effects of having a holiday to reset mind and brain |
| topic | holiday work neuroticism negative affect Fiji |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/3/4/50 |
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