Abstract
Comprehensive models of personality aspire to integrate the several aspects related to the study of personality in a coherent
whole. One of the great research challenges in this field is to understand if and how different levels of personality analysis
interrelate to promote human well-being. The aim of the present study is to explore the mediator effect of personal projects’
efficacy on the relationship between Big Five and subjective well-being (SWB) components. We conducted a cross-sectional study
in which a battery of self-report questionnaires was used to assess personality and SWB in 396 teachers. Path analysis results
indicated that personal projects’ efficacy fully mediated the effects of openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness
on life satisfaction and on negative affect. The effects of neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness
on positive affect were direct but also indirect, partially mediated by personal projects’ efficacy. Neuroticism had a direct
and an indirect effect through a decreased personal projects’ efficacy on the three components of SWB. Extraversion only directly
predicted increased positive affect. These findings corroborate the conceptualization that these two types of personality
analysis units (Big Five and personal projects) have their own direct, unique and irreducible effect on life satisfaction,
positive affect and negative affect. However, their impact on SWB components seems to be also explained through their effect
upon personal projects’ efficacy.
whole. One of the great research challenges in this field is to understand if and how different levels of personality analysis
interrelate to promote human well-being. The aim of the present study is to explore the mediator effect of personal projects’
efficacy on the relationship between Big Five and subjective well-being (SWB) components. We conducted a cross-sectional study
in which a battery of self-report questionnaires was used to assess personality and SWB in 396 teachers. Path analysis results
indicated that personal projects’ efficacy fully mediated the effects of openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness
on life satisfaction and on negative affect. The effects of neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness
on positive affect were direct but also indirect, partially mediated by personal projects’ efficacy. Neuroticism had a direct
and an indirect effect through a decreased personal projects’ efficacy on the three components of SWB. Extraversion only directly
predicted increased positive affect. These findings corroborate the conceptualization that these two types of personality
analysis units (Big Five and personal projects) have their own direct, unique and irreducible effect on life satisfaction,
positive affect and negative affect. However, their impact on SWB components seems to be also explained through their effect
upon personal projects’ efficacy.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Research Paper
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10902-012-9326-6
- Authors
- Isabel Albuquerque, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, Apartado 6153, 3001-802 Coimbra, Portugal
- Margarida Pedroso de Lima, Cognitive and Behavioral Research Centre (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Marcela Matos, Cognitive and Behavioral Research Centre (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Cláudia Figueiredo, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Journal Journal of Happiness Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-7780
- Print ISSN 1389-4978