Trait Hedonism and the Distribution of Savoring and Positive Emotion States in Everyday Life

Abstract

The present study aimed at (1) identifying the emotion regulation processes that can explain the trait hedonism positive emotions relationship, and (2) determining whether this relationship varies according to which part of the distribution of positive emotions is considered. To this end, the intensity of the positive emotions felt by 84 adult participants, and the intensity of their engagement in savoring, were assessed twice a day over a month period, using an Experience Sampling Method. Participants’ distributions of these variables were then related to their level of trait hedonism, assessed with a common questionnaire. Results suggested that, as expected, the trait hedonism positive emotions relationship varied according to which part of the distribution of positive emotions was considered. In their worst times (i.e., first centiles of each individual’s distribution), individuals with low versus high trait hedonism differed very little from each other. By contrast, in more favorable times (i.e., following centiles), individuals with high levels of trait hedonism experienced more intense positive emotions than individuals with low levels of trait hedonism. This phenomenon was mediated by individuals’ engagement in savoring. These results are discussed in light of current theories on emotion dynamics.