Personality Traits and Ensemble Identification: A Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling Approach

In this study, we investigated the influence of musical ensemble members’ personality traits on their identification with their ensemble. We recruited a sample of 1,831 students from 52 university ensembles in China. Participants completed the Big Five personality inventory and an ensemble identification scale. Utilizing a multilevel structural equation modeling approach to account for the nested structure of individuals within ensembles, our analysis unveiled the impact of personality traits on ensemble identification at both individual and group levels. Key findings indicated that individuals with higher Agreeableness and lower Openness tended to more strongly identify with the ensemble. Furthermore, ensembles characterized by a majority of members with high Conscientiousness and high Neuroticism were likely to demonstrate stronger overall group-level ensemble identification. The implications of individual differences in personality traits and the composition of personalities within groups for shaping ensemble identification are discussed.