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Abstract

While past research has demonstrated a robust connection between dispositional personality traits and well-being, relatively little research has comprehensively examined the ways in which Big Five personality states may be associated with short-term experiences of well-being within individuals. This research examines two experience sampling studies to address three central questions about the nature of the relationship between personality and well-being states: (1) to what extent do personality and well-being states covary within individuals? (2) to what extent do personality and well-being states influence one another within individuals? and (3) to what extent are these within person relationships moderated by dispositional personality traits and well-being? Results showed that all Big Five personality states were correlated with short term experiences of well-being within individuals. Individuals were more extraverted, emotionally stable, conscientious, agreeable and open in moments when they experienced higher well-being (greater self-esteem, life satisfaction positive affect and less negative affect). Moreover, results indicated that personality and well-being states dynamically influenced one another over time within individuals, and that these associations were not generally moderated by dispositional traits. Thus, this research demonstrates the inter-connectedness of behaviour and well-being in the context of the Big Five model of personality.