Regional Personality Variation in Sweden

Trait Clusters, Links to Health and Well‐Being, and Historical Context

Bibliographic Data

ID21391929
AuthorsMartin Obschonka (0000-0002-0853-7166, Amsterdam Business School University of Amsterdam Amsterdam the Netherlands, corresponding author), Markus Grillitsch (0000-0002-8406-4727, Department of Human Geography CIRCLE ‐ Centre for Innovation Research Lund University Lund Sweden), Nicklas Guldåker (0000-0002-5711-9091, Department of Human Geography CIRCLE ‐ Centre for Innovation Research Lund University Lund Sweden), Daniel Rauhut (0000-0002-9146-9984, Department of Economic History Lund University Lund Sweden), Peter J Rentfrow (0000-0002-9068-2118, University of Cambridge), Jeff Potter (0000-0003-1836-5625, Atof Inc. Cambridge Massachusetts USA), Samuel D Gosling (0000-0001-8970-591X, Department of Psychology University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas USA)
Year2026
Volume67
Issue2
Pages439-472
Publication date2026-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueScandinavian Journal of Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0036-5564 • E-ISSN: 1467-9450
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/sjop.70038
PMID41204763
OpenAlexW4416025643
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited79

Personality traits (e.g., the Big Five) shape human behavior, decision‐making, and life outcomes. Evidence from various countries suggests that these traits are not randomly distributed but follow systematic regional patterns, fueling interest in their geographical variation. We analyze N = 22,225 geo‐coded personality assessments, aggregated at regional levels. Using Hot Spot analysis (Getis‐Ord Gi), we identify spatial clusters of personality traits and test their associations with health and well‐being indicators at the regional level. Even though Sweden has a reputation for equality, our analysis reveals notable spatial differences in personality composition. The data reveal overlapping geographical clustering in Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Emotional Stability (i.e., low Neuroticism), traits that are established predictors of better psychological functioning. These traits co‐occur at relatively higher levels in southern Sweden, particularly in the Scania region, whereas they co‐occur at relatively lower levels in parts of central Sweden. These patterns are descriptively supported by municipal‐level correlations with health and well‐being variables, although the associations are not uniform across all measures. In view of these results, we reflect on how these clusters may connect to long‐standing regional histories, including industrial legacies. Such interpretations remain speculative, and we outline a future research agenda to further investigate the causes and consequences of regional personality variation, as well as its possible societal implications

Big Five personality traits · Big Five personality traits and culture · Context (archaeology) · Personality · Reputation · Trait · Trait theory · Variation (astronomy) · Personality Disorders and Psychopathology · Personality Traits and Psychology · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

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