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Cognitive Flexibility Mediates the Relationship between Big Five Personality Traits and Life Satisfaction

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  • Hatice Odacı

    (Trabzon University)

  • Özkan Cikrikci

    (Ordu University)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediator role of cognitive flexibility in the relation between five-factor personality traits and life satisfaction. The sample in present cross-sectional research consisted of 620 university students, 460 female and 157 male. Samples ranged in age between 18 and 32, with a mean age of 20.80 (SD = 2.07). Participants filled out the Five-Factor Personality Inventory, the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The personality traits of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and neuroticism emerged as significant predictors of life satisfaction. Additionally, there were significant relationships among personality traits, cognitive flexibility and life satisfaction. The mediation results revealed that cognitive flexibility is a significant mediator in the relation between personality traits and life satisfaction. These results provide information regarding a possible through which cognitive flexibility with its own dynamics may improve the determination of hedonic gains affection satisfaction with life.

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  • Hatice Odacı & Özkan Cikrikci, 2019. "Cognitive Flexibility Mediates the Relationship between Big Five Personality Traits and Life Satisfaction," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(5), pages 1229-1246, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:14:y:2019:i:5:d:10.1007_s11482-018-9651-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-018-9651-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ömer Şimşek & Selda Koydemir, 2013. "Linking Metatraits of the Big Five to Well-Being and Ill-Being: Do Basic Psychological Needs Matter?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 112(1), pages 221-238, May.
    2. Unsal Yetim, 2003. "The Impacts of Individualism/Collectivism, Self-Esteem, and Feeling of Mastery on Life Satisfaction among the Turkish University Students and Academicians," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 61(3), pages 297-317, March.
    3. Henrik Dobewall & Anu Realo & Jüri Allik & Tõnu Esko & Andres Metspalu, 2013. "Self-Other Agreement in Happiness and Life-Satisfaction: The Role of Personality Traits," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 479-492, November.
    4. Mohsen Joshanloo & Samaneh Afshari, 2011. "Big Five Personality Traits and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Life Satisfaction in Iranian Muslim University Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 105-113, March.
    5. Isabel Albuquerque & Margarida Lima & Marcela Matos & Cláudia Figueiredo, 2013. "The Interplay Among Levels of Personality: The Mediator Effect of Personal Projects Between the Big Five and Subjective Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 235-250, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kuo Zhang & Jipeng Pei & Shu Wang & Karlis Rokpelnis & Xiao Yu, 2022. "Life Satisfaction in China, 2010–2018: Trends and Unique Determinants," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(4), pages 2311-2348, August.
    2. Xuechen Leng & Jinfeng Han & Yingcan Zheng & Xiaoyong Hu & Hong Chen, 2021. "The Role of a “Happy Personality” in the Relationship of Subjective Social Status and Domain-Specific Satisfaction in China," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(4), pages 1733-1751, August.
    3. Poier, Stefan & Nikodemska-Wołowik, Anna Maria & Suchanek, Michał, 2025. "Should I buy or should I go? The effect of the big five personality traits and satisfaction with life on E-bike ownership in Germany," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 188-199.
    4. Olesia V. Bubnovskaia & Norris Krueger & Ivan I. Gutorov, 2022. "Cognitive flexibility as a decision-making factor in entrepreneurship," Upravlenets, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 13(1), pages 2-19, March.

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