Chapter 12 - Personality Traits as Potential Moderators of Well-Being: Setting a Foundation for Future Research

Abstract

Research on subjective well-being often focuses on identifying mean-level trends, and less on the individual differences that might influence patterns of change across the life span. The current chapter focuses on this latter topic with respect to examining personality traits as predictors and moderators of well-being change. Personality traits are known correlates of well-being across multiple indicators, and traits by definition include affective components. Our literature review touches on each of these points to underscore why traits appear likely candidates for influencing well-being trajectories, with a focus on generating hypotheses regarding why traits could play a role in influencing well-being changes. In so doing, we promote a view that research should consider both broad (e.g., Big Five) and more specific traits as moderators, as well as to incorporate experimental paradigms into the investigation. Ultimately, the goal is to move beyond investigating whether well-being changes over time and instead consider the question of “for whom?”