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Does Positivity Mediate the Relation of Extraversion and Neuroticism with Subjective Happiness?

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  • Marco Lauriola
  • Luca Iani

Abstract

Recent theories suggest an important role of neuroticism, extraversion, attitudes, and global positive orientations as predictors of subjective happiness. We examined whether positivity mediates the hypothesized relations in a community sample of 504 adults between the ages of 20 and 60 years old (females = 50%). A model with significant paths from neuroticism to subjective happiness, from extraversion and neuroticism to positivity, and from positivity to subjective happiness fitted the data (Satorra–Bentler scaled chi-square (38) = 105.91; Comparative Fit Index = .96; Non-Normed Fit Index = .95; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = .060; 90% confidence interval = .046, .073). The percentage of subjective happiness variance accounted for by personality traits was only about 48%, whereas adding positivity as a mediating factor increased the explained amount of subjective happiness to 78%. The mediation model was invariant by age and gender. The results show that the effect of extraversion on happiness was fully mediated by positivity, whereas the effect of neuroticism was only partially mediated. Implications for happiness studies are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Lauriola & Luca Iani, 2015. "Does Positivity Mediate the Relation of Extraversion and Neuroticism with Subjective Happiness?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(3), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0121991
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121991
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chris Tkach & Sonja Lyubomirsky, 2006. "How Do People Pursue Happiness?: Relating Personality, Happiness-Increasing Strategies, and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 7(2), pages 183-225, June.
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    1. Alessandra Martinelli & Giulia Moncalieri & Manuel Zamparini & Guido Alessandri & Gian Vittorio Caprara & Gianluca Castelnuovo & Matteo Rocchetti & Fabrizio Starace & Cristina Zarbo & Giovanni de Giro, 2024. "Positivity, daily time use, mood, and functioning in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Results from the diapason multicentric study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 70(2), pages 319-329, March.
    2. 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.
    3. Ewa Kupcewicz & Marzena Mikla & Helena Kadučáková & Elżbieta Grochans & Maria Dolores Roldán Valcarcel & Anna Maria Cybulska, 2022. "Correlation between Positive Orientation and Control of Anger, Anxiety and Depression in Nursing Students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Mariagiovanna Caprara & Laura Giunta & Gian Vittorio Caprara, 2017. "Association of Positivity with Health Problems in Old Age: Preliminary Findings from Spanish Middle Class Seniors," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(5), pages 1339-1358, October.
    5. Rumen Iliev & Will Bennis, 2023. "The Convergence of Positivity: Are Happy People All Alike?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 1643-1662, June.
    6. Nico Seifert, 2024. "The Effect of Loneliness on Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study 2017–2021," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 19(4), pages 1-23, August.

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