Based on the job characteristics model and the Big Five theory of personality, the author
proposed a model to suggest that skill varieties and job autonomy can drive changes in Big Five
personality traits, particularly openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness. Hypothesis 1
posited that exposure to diverse skills is associated with increases in these traits over time.
Hypothesis 2 suggested that job autonomy similarly leads to increases in openness,
conscientiousness, and agreeableness. Hypothesis 3 proposed that job autonomy moderates the
relationship between skill variety and personality changes, with individuals experiencing high job
autonomy and diverse skills exhibiting the most significant trait changes. Two waves of data
from 3,246 employees over a five-year period from the Household, Income and Labour
Dynamics in Australia Survey were analyzed. Skill variety, job autonomy, and Big Five
personality traits were measured at various points throughout the study. The results showed that
both skill variety and job autonomy positively predicted increases in openness, conscientiousness,
and agreeableness over time. Additionally, the interaction between high job autonomy and skill
variety was found to amplify these personality changes, with the most pronounced increases
observed in individuals experiencing both high job autonomy and diverse skills. The implications
for personality development and work design research are discussed.