Comparison of the Big Five and the HEXACO Models of Personality in the Prediction of Emotional Wellbeing: an Experience Sampling Study

Abstract

AbstractAlthough the associations between personality traits and subjective wellbeing (SWB) are well established, personality still remains important in the research on SWB. The big five/five factor model of personality is the most frequently used by SWB researchers. However, there is a possibility that an alternative six-factor personality model (HEXACO), which broadens personality structure with a sixth factor (honesty-humility), might also be useful when wellbeing is of interest. In the current study (N = 669) we try to assess which of the two personality models constitutes a better taxonomic framework for SWB research. To measure wellbeing as both a momentary and more stable phenomenon, an experience sampling procedure was used. Personality was assessed with the HEXACO-60 and the TIPI personality questionnaires. The current study findings showed some predictive advantages of the big five/five factor model over the HEXACO in predicting both momentary and stable wellbeing. However, both personality models added the unique variance to the prediction of SWB. Based on the results of the study, the recommendations for researchers investigating general personality traits in the context of subjective wellbeing are provided.