Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy and Dimensions of Emotional Openness in Links Between Personality and Quality of Life: Zoom on Openness and Agreeableness

Abstract

There is an abundant literature on the links between quality of life and neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness. Several studies have even explored how these links are mediated by variables such as self efficacy and openness to emotion. However, less attention has been paid to the influence of the openness and agreeableness, as results have pointed to moderate to weak predictive values. The aim of the present study was to shed light on the roles of all five personality factors, especially openness and agreeableness, exploring both their direct effects on quality of life and their indirect effects, mediated by self-efficacy and emotional openness. The effects of neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness on quality of life were consistent with previous findings in the literature. Openness had only indirect effects on quality of life: positive when mediated by self-efficacy, and negative when mediated by emotional openness. Agreeableness had a positive direct effect, but a negative indirect effect via self-efficacy. These results, together with possible applications and future avenues for research, are discussed.