Personality in a naturally occurring strong situation: Unique effects of HEXACO traits on COVID-19 mitigation

The first Italian lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic constituted an example of strong situation. Under this context, we investigated associations of HEXACO personality with COVID-19 mitigation behaviors (self-reported hygiene, distancing, going out). We tested unique associations through regularized regressions and out-of-sample prediction after establishing the best level of analysis (HEXACO traits, facets, items). Personality always explained out-of-sample variance over and above demographics, COVID-related knowledge, concern, impacts, and goals. Hygiene and distancing were best predicted by HEXACO traits, whereas facets constituted the best level for the prediction of going out. In general, honesty-humility (trait or facets) was the clearest predictor of safer behaviors. Results corroborate the relevance of personality even in strong situations, as well as its importance for COVID-19 mitigation. •A lockdown for a pandemic such as COVID-19 can be considered as a strong situation.•We predicted COVID-19 mitigation behaviors through HEXACO traits, facets, and items.•We used statistical learning techniques to estimate out-of-sample predictions.•Personality showed unique effects above and beyond COVID-specific variables.•Honesty-humility (trait and facets) stood out as the clearest predictor of behaviors.