Predicting Psychological and Subjective Well-Being from Personality: A Meta-Analysis

What is it about?

The paper provides meta-analytic estimates of the correlations between personality and well-being. In particular, it shows how the variables of two major personality frameworks (Big Five and HEXACO) are related to a two influential and complementary well-being frameworks (subjective and psychological well-being).

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Photo by Antonino Visalli on Unsplash

Photo by Antonino Visalli on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study presents the first meta-analysis of personality and well-being that examines (a) HEXACO personality traits, (b) dimensions of psychological well-being, and (c) a comprehensive range of established Big Five measures. Investigating HEXACO personality traits is crucial because this framework, which has gained popularity, captures traits in the honesty/humility domain more effectively than the Big Five and partitions personality variance differently. For example, HEXACO extraversion includes many features related to reversed low self-esteem. Exploring psychological well-being dimensions is essential because they encompass critical humanistic aspects such as personal growth and positive relationships with others. These dimensions appear to be more strongly related to personality and exhibit a distinct profile of personality correlates, highlighting the dispositional pathways to achieving and desiring such outcomes. Analyzing a range of Big Five measures is important to understand the extent to which the relationships between personality and well-being depend on the specific measures used. This meta-analysis is the first to synthesize results from a broad set of Big Five measures, whereas earlier meta-analyses largely summarized literature predating the Big Five or focused on a small set of specific measures. Lastly, the study examines the role of narrow personality facets in predicting subjective and psychological well-being, offering a more nuanced understanding of these connections.