36th Annual Student Research Conference
Personality Functioning versus Traits as Predictors of Undergraduates' Life Satisfaction
Claire M. Parson* and Rachel C. Whaley
Dr. Jeffrey Vittengl, Faculty Mentor
Psychological well-being, including satisfaction with life, often declines after beginning college. Past research also shows that personality traits (e.g., low neuroticism, high extraversion) relate robustly to well-being, but relations of personality functioning (e.g., self- and interpersonal relationships) with well-being are less clear. Therefore, we tested whether traits or personality functioning better predicted undergraduates’ satisfaction with life. In our study, undergraduates (N = 392) completed questionnaires measuring five personality traits, four personality functioning dimensions, and satisfaction with life. Both traits (R2 = .28) and personality functioning (R2 = .39) predicted satisfaction with life, but functioning was more important overall, ps < .001. Further, self-functioning (identity and self-direction), compared to interpersonal functioning (intimacy and empathy), appeared more relevant to undergraduates’ satisfaction with life. Beyond traditional trait models and consistent with the DSM-5 Alternative Model of Personality Disorders, undergraduates' psychological well-being can be placed in a network of both personality traits and functioning.
Keywords: personality functioning, personality traits, well-being, DSM-5, Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD)
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 103-1
Location: SUB Georgian Room B
Time: 8:30