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Personality, Positivity and Happiness: A Mediation Analysis Using a Bifactor Model

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  • Marco Lauriola

    (SAPIENZA University of Rome)

  • Luca Iani

    (European University of Rome)

Abstract

Recent studies suggested an important role of neuroticism and extraversion facets as incremental predictors of subjective well-being outcomes. Research has shown that positive cognitions mediated the relation between personality traits and well-being. The present study examined the relationship between neuroticism and extraversion, measured as general and group factors, and subjective happiness through a general positivity factor. 770 community participants (69.4 % females; M = 55.34; SD = 16.01) completed personality, satisfaction with life, optimism, self-esteem, and subjective happiness scales. A bifactor model was used to parse general and specific variance components for multifaceted constructs. The general positivity factor completely mediated neuroticism-subjective happiness relationships and overlapped with general neuroticism, whilst it partially mediated extraversion-subjective happiness ones. Other paths to happiness involved cheerfulness and enthusiasm. Assertiveness, activity level and excitement-seeking had a weak relationship with subjective happiness and only through positivity. Gregariousness and friendliness had neither direct nor indirect effects on subjective happiness. Life satisfaction had a twofold role as a component of positivity as well as providing an independent contribution to variance in subjective happiness. In keeping with previous research, neuroticism acted as a sort of general negativity factor. Cheerfulness and extraversion made an incremental contribution to variance in subjective happiness. Our findings support the utility of a multifaceted approach to study pathways from personality to well-being. Theoretical and practical implications for promoting well-being were discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Lauriola & Luca Iani, 2017. "Personality, Positivity and Happiness: A Mediation Analysis Using a Bifactor Model," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1659-1682, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:18:y:2017:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-016-9792-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9792-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Rosario J. Marrero & Mónica Carballeira & Juan A. Hernández-Cabrera, 2020. "Does Humor Mediate the Relationship Between Positive Personality and Well-Being? The Moderating Role of Gender and Health," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 1117-1144, March.
    2. Don C. Zhang & Tyler L. Renshaw, 2020. "Personality and College Student Subjective Wellbeing: A Domain-Specific Approach," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 997-1014, March.
    3. Angelo Panno, 2018. "Social Dominance and Attitude towards Immigrants: The Key Role of Happiness," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-10, August.

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