“The Link Between Personality, Global, and Domain-Specific Satisfaction Across the Adult Lifespan”, 2022-09-02 ():
Meta-analytic evidence has shown that personality is one of the strongest correlates of global and domain-specific satisfaction. The main goal of the present study was to examine whether the associations between personality traits and satisfaction differ across the adult lifespan.
We used bivariate latent growth curve models and local structural equation modeling to study correlations between levels and change of Big 5 personality traits and satisfaction with life, satisfaction with work, and satisfaction with social contacts. Data came from a large representative longitudinal Dutch sample (n = 9,110; age range 16–95).
Across age, Emotional Stability showed the strongest associations with both global and domain-specific satisfaction. For work satisfaction, conscientiousness was the strongest correlate after emotional stability. Extraversion and Agreeableness were most strongly associated with social satisfaction. Longitudinal changes in personality and satisfaction across the 11 years covered in this study were moderately correlated, suggesting co-development between these constructs. Most correlational patterns were stable across the lifespan, suggesting that personality traits are similarly relevant for satisfaction across different phases in adult life.
We discuss the theoretical implications for the foundations that may underlie the link between personality and satisfaction in various life phases.
[Keywords: age differences, Big Five, correlated change, life satisfaction, local structural equation modeling, personality traits, social satisfaction, work satisfaction]