Stress is the most prevalent factor long-term sick leave and research shows that this is a direct consequence of poor working conditions- due to the lack of harmony between high-demand tasks and work resources (Försäkringskassan, 2023).

The aim of this study was to explore if there is a connection between individual predisposi- tions related to personality and if these individuals are more vulnerable to stress and difficul- ties in focusing on the present. By answering these questions, the society and organizations could benefit the opportunity to being able to design more effective assistance efforts for those affected by stress-related illnesses but also in order to increase the opportunities to work more proactively.

Participants were asked to complete a self-assessment questionnaire that included the meas- urement instruments PSS-14, BMW-3, and Mini-IPIP. The questionnaire was completed online and formed the basis for the study to investigate whether there is a correlation between personality and stress and between personality and mind-wandering.

The study included 81 participants between the ages of 18-81 in Sweden, and the results of the survey show strong support for three of the hypotheses.

The results confirmed the hypotheses that there is a positive relationship between stress and mind-wandering (β=0,230, p =0,004), a negative relationship between conscientiousness and mind-wandering (β= −0.116, p = 0.030), and a positive relationship between neuroticism and perceived stress (β=0,5549, p<0,001).. The hypotheses that could not be confirmed were a negative relationship between extraversion and mind-wandering (β=−0.095, p=0.080) or a positive relationship between openness and perceived stress (β=0,097, p=0,349).

The study has shown that there are reasons to investigate which individual predispositions that can explain why some individuals experience more stress than others. Implementing this knowledge in systematic work environment managements can increase the possibilities of re- ducing the number of stress-related sick leave.

Keywords:Big-Five, Perceived Stress Scale, Personality, Stress, Mind-Wandering