Predicting Creativity: Interactive Effects of Openness to Experience and Emotion Regulation Ability

The creative process is replete with emotion-from curiosity about a new undertaking to frustration at dead ends to the joys of a completed product-and these emotions have to be regulated to support creative behavior. The present study examined links between openness to experience (personality disposition for creativity), emotion regulation ability, and peer-nominated creativity among high school students. We hypothesized a significant emotion regulation ability by openness interaction, such that emotion regulation ability would predict creativity only in individuals relatively high in openness. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the link between emotion regulation ability and openness would be mediated by persistence and passion (measured by teacher reports). Results largely supported the hypotheses. The role of emotion regulation ability in bridging the gap between creative potential and creative achievement is discussed.