Examining the effects of birth order on personality, self-esteem, and perfectionism
Authors
Hannafin, Katie
Issue Date
2024
Degree
BA Hons Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of birth order on personality traits, self-esteem scores and levels of perfectionism. Participants (n = 198) completed an online survey which used the following measures, the Big Five Inventory – short version, the Rosenburg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Big Three Perfectionism – short form, as well as three demographic questions surrounding gender, age, and birth order. For the purpose of analysis, the participants were split into four birth orders, eldest, middle, youngest, and only. All three hypotheses were analysed using a Kruskal Wallis test, as none of them met the assumption of normality. The results of this study found no significant differences between any of the psychological variables and the different birth orders, therefore, all the null hypotheses were accepted.