The mediational role of emotion regulation in the relationship between personality and subjective well-being

In this research we examined relationships between Big Five personality traits, emotion regulation strategies and subjective well-being. In two studies we explored the mediational role of habitual use of two regulation strategies: reappraisal and suppression in the relationship between personality traits and two aspects of well-being (i.e., life satisfaction and experience of positive affect and negative affect). In Study 1 (n = 233) we found that the most robust predictors of higher life satisfaction were higher extraversion, conscientiousness, emotional stability (lower neuroticism) and reappraisal, as well as lower suppression of emotions. We obtained similar pattern of results in Study 2 (n = 265) which showed that higher positive affect was significantly predicted by higher extraversion, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and reappraisal. Negative affect was negatively predicted only by emotional stability. Additional analyses indicated that suppression mediated the link between extraversion and life satisfaction, whereas reappraisal mediated associations of emotional stability with life satisfaction and positive affect. The studies reveal the role of emotion regulation for extraversion and emotional stability and their association with well-being.

Automated summary

This research explores the relationship between Big Five personality traits, emotion regulation strategies, and subjective well-being. It demonstrates that extraversion, conscientiousness, emotional stability (lower neuroticism), and reappraisal are predictors of higher life satisfaction and positive affect. The study also suggests that suppression of emotions only affects life satisfaction to a lesser extent, and emotional stability is negatively associated with negative affect.