Location
Room 232, Schewel Hall
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Presentation Type
Oral presentation
Entry Number
87
Start Date
4-16-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-16-2026 10:15 AM
School
School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Keywords
Personality, honesty-humility, emotionality, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to experience, subjective well-being, life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect
Abstract
Happiness is a universal pursuit, yet individuals differ in how they experience it. Some appear to be naturally cheerful, while others struggle to maintain a positive attitude despite favorable circumstances. Personality, a popular topic in psychological research, has long been proposed as a key factor in shaping these differences, yet there is limited research on the potential association. Consequently, the purpose of this research is to identify which parts of personality, using the HEXACO Model, may predict happiness. However, the current study broadens the concept of ‘happiness’ by examining it through the multidimensional construct of subjective well-being (SWB), operationalized using life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Such research was conducted at a small, private University using a questionnaire consisting of published scales pertaining to personality, life satisfaction, and affect. Results indicated that extraversion was a positive predictor of life satisfaction and positive affect, and a negative predictor of negative affect. Results also indicated that conscientiousness was a positive predictor of life satisfaction and a negative predictor of negative affect. In summary, these findings demonstrate that individuals who are more sociable and energetic tend to experience greater life satisfaction, more positive emotions, and fewer negative emotions. Findings also demonstrate that those who are more responsible and organized tend to experience greater life satisfaction and fewer negative emotions. Such research can be used to help individuals, especially young college students, understand why certain behaviors associated with core personality traits influence their satisfaction with life and positive or negative emotional experiences.
Primary Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Ei Hlaing
Primary Faculty Mentor(s) Department
Psychology
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The Effect of HEXACO Personality Traits on Constructs of Subjective Well-Being
Room 232, Schewel Hall
Happiness is a universal pursuit, yet individuals differ in how they experience it. Some appear to be naturally cheerful, while others struggle to maintain a positive attitude despite favorable circumstances. Personality, a popular topic in psychological research, has long been proposed as a key factor in shaping these differences, yet there is limited research on the potential association. Consequently, the purpose of this research is to identify which parts of personality, using the HEXACO Model, may predict happiness. However, the current study broadens the concept of ‘happiness’ by examining it through the multidimensional construct of subjective well-being (SWB), operationalized using life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Such research was conducted at a small, private University using a questionnaire consisting of published scales pertaining to personality, life satisfaction, and affect. Results indicated that extraversion was a positive predictor of life satisfaction and positive affect, and a negative predictor of negative affect. Results also indicated that conscientiousness was a positive predictor of life satisfaction and a negative predictor of negative affect. In summary, these findings demonstrate that individuals who are more sociable and energetic tend to experience greater life satisfaction, more positive emotions, and fewer negative emotions. Findings also demonstrate that those who are more responsible and organized tend to experience greater life satisfaction and fewer negative emotions. Such research can be used to help individuals, especially young college students, understand why certain behaviors associated with core personality traits influence their satisfaction with life and positive or negative emotional experiences.