The Day-to-Day Effects of Conscientiousness on Well-Being

Abstract

Young and older adults reported their daily perceived control and subjective well-being over nine weeks. Trait conscientiousness (C) was positively associated with mean daily life satisfaction and positive affect, greater fluctuation in perceived control (state-level C), and also modified the daily associations between control and negative affect. The negative covariation between perceived control and negative affect was stronger for people lower in trait C. Age cohort predicted daily affective well-being but did not interact with C. Findings are discussed in the context of proposals for a multilevel structural and process approach to personality and its application to different life phases.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Data are derived from the Intraperson Dynamics Study which was financially supported by the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin. Members of the study research team (2002–2006) included Paul B. Baltes, Oliver Huxhold, Shu-Chen Li, Ulman Lindenberger, Christina Röcke, Florian Schmiedek, and Jacqui Smith. We thank the participants together with Kirsten Becker, Anita Günther, Angelika Paul, and a large team of student research assistants for their valuable assistance in all aspects of this intensive data collection endeavor.