THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS IN THE PROCESS OF ADAPTATION TO URBAN LIFE

Abstract: Urban environments demand complex psychological, social and behavioral
adjustments from individuals who relocate from rural or semi-urban areas. This study
examines how personality traits, particularly the Big Five dimensions-extraversion, openness
to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness and neuroticism-shape individuals’ adaptation
to urban life. Drawing on contemporary urban sociology and personality psychology, the
research explores the mechanisms through which personality influences stress management,
social integration, perceived crowding, environmental tolerance, and engagement with urban
opportunities. Findings indicate that high openness and extraversion facilitate faster cultural
and social adaptation, while conscientiousness supports structural adjustment such as time
management and rule compliance. Conversely, high neuroticism is associated with elevated
adaptation stress, reduced environmental satisfaction and a heightened sense of urban
overload. The study underscores that urban adaptation is not solely a structural or socioeconomic process but is deeply intertwined with stable dispositional characteristics. These
results contribute to a more nuanced understanding of urban adjustment and offer implications
for urban planners, policymakers and migration psychologists.