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Adolescent Life Satisfaction and Personality Characteristics: Investigating Relationships Using a Five Factor Model

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Abstract

The current study investigated the relationships among personality factors and life satisfaction in high school students (N = 624), who completed self-report measures of global life satisfaction and personality characteristics consistent with a Five Factor Model (i.e., extraversion, neuroticism, openness to experience, conscientiousness, and agreeableness). Analyses indicated that approximately 47 % of the variance in adolescents’ life satisfaction scores was accounted for by their levels of the Big Five personality factors. Neuroticism emerged as the strongest predictor. Openness, conscientiousness, and extraversion were also significant and unique predictors of life satisfaction. Regarding gender differences, a higher level of agreeableness was related to higher life satisfaction for girls, but not for boys. Findings support the importance of including all Big Five personality factors in exploratory models of life satisfaction, and contribute to an understanding of gender-specific models of predictors of life satisfaction.

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  1. Department of Educational and Psychological Studies, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, EDU 105, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA

    Shannon M. Suldo, Devon R. Minch & Brittany V. Hearon

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  1. Shannon M. Suldo
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Correspondence to Shannon M. Suldo.

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Suldo, S.M., R. Minch, D. & Hearon, B.V. Adolescent Life Satisfaction and Personality Characteristics: Investigating Relationships Using a Five Factor Model. J Happiness Stud 16, 965–983 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-014-9544-1

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