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Time is a critical resource, because how we spend the hours of our days sums up to the years of our lives. Yet are there individual differences in the way people think about their time, and how do such differences relate to subjective well-being? In the current research, we developed and empirically validated a 4-item scale to assess the extent to which people take a broad view of time—typically thinking more in terms of their years and life overall, rather than by hours and days. We provide evidence that those with a broad view of time report greater subjective well-being (i.e., more positive emotion, satisfaction, and meaning in life), and they spend their time in more meaningful ways (i.e., by dedicating more time to important activities, and not merely urgent ones). • Individuals vary in the extent to which they take a broad view of time. • People who take a broad view of time think in terms of years and life (vs. hours). • Developed and validated the 4-item Broad View of Time scale. • Taking a broad view of time predicts happiness, meaning, and life satisfaction. • Taking a broad view of time predicts spending on important (vs. urgent) activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study integrated variable- and person-centered approaches to explore how happiness motives and their profiles relate to mental health through the mediation of eudaimonic activity (i.e., mastery behavior) and maladaptive hedonic activity (i.e., smartphone addiction). A total of 623 Chinese undergraduates completed an online survey package. Structural equation modeling revealed that hedonic approach motives (i.e., seeking pleasure) had a positive direct effect on well-being. Hedonic avoidance motives (i.e., avoiding pain) were negatively related to mastery behavior and positively related to smartphone addiction, leading to worse mental health. Eudaimonic motives (i.e., seeking growth and meaning) were positively related to mastery behavior and negatively related to smartphone addiction, leading to improved mental health. Latent profile analysis identified four profiles: average motives, low motives, approach motives, and high motives. A multi-categorical mediating model revealed that, compared to high motives profile, approach motives profile was related to more mastery behavior and less smartphone addiction, indirectly improving mental health; low motives profile had a negative indirect effect on mental health through mastery behavior and a positive indirect effect through smartphone addiction. These results indicate that combining high hedonic approach and eudaimonic motives with low hedonic avoidance motives is the most functional way to achieve happiness. • Hedonic avoidance motives are related to maladaptive behavioral patterns. • Hedonic approach motives are not related to maladaptive behavioral patterns. • Latent profile analysis reveals high, average, low, and, approach motives profiles. • The approach motives profile shows the best mental health condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study how personality impacts people's experiences of their thoughts in terms of experienced happiness and worthwhileness. Over two weeks, 483 participants completed over 20,000 experience sampling questionnaires including reports of hedonic and eudemonic well-being, and type and content of thoughts. Using multi-level modelling we show that personality traits recorded prior to the start of the study for all participants interact with thought variables to significantly predict experiences of worthwhileness. Openness was the personality trait with the greatest impact on how content and type of thoughts affected worthwhileness. Predictions of happiness were not significantly improved by the addition of interactions between personality and thoughts. Implications for the broader literature on the relationship between personality and well-being are discussed. • We find individual differences in the relationship between thoughts and well-being. • Big 5 personality traits do not explain this difference for happiness. • Openness moderates the relationship between thoughts and worthwhileness. • Agreeableness also moderates the relationship between thoughts and worthwhileness. • Most of the individual-specific variance remains unexplained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health emergencies such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic force policymakers to implement appropriate measures including social distancing to curb the spread of the virus. Although most people assume that such measures impact mental health, the extent of the impact may vary considerably between individuals. Using data from a 30-day diary study that captured daily happiness ratings (N = 611; 15,607 observations) during the worst wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, we used multi-level modeling to test whether the Big Five personality factors moderated the relationship between enforced social distancing and happiness. We observed that people's happiness was stable throughout the enforcement and easing of social distancing. During the study period, both extraversion and agreeableness were found to be positively associated with happiness. Those high in extraversion were less happy when the distancing measures were enforced than when they were lifted. Our findings point to extraversion as a risk factor in public health emergencies and the importance of identifying people at risk to ensure immediate intervention during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior meta-analyses demonstrated a close link between personality traits such as the Big Five and happiness. However, to date, no comparable meta-analysis has looked into the relationship between happiness and the Dark Triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy). Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis examined the relationship between the Dark Triad and happiness and reviewed their correlations. Four databases (Psycinfo, Medline, Web of Science, ScienceDirect) were searched. Sixteen studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis found that: 1) narcissism was positively associated with happiness (ρ = 0.18, k = 16, N = 6965); 2) there was no significant association between Machiavellianism and happiness (ρ = −0.06, k = 6, N = 1944); and 3) psychopathy was negatively associated with happiness (ρ = −0.23, k = 12, N = 2943). Results discuss the importance of distinguishing the three domains of the Dark Triad in future research and practice. • This is the first meta-analysis linking the Dark Triad traits to happiness. • Narcissism relates to significantly greater happiness (small to medium effect size). • Machiavellianism is not significantly related to happiness. • Psychopathy relates to significantly lower happiness (small to medium effect size). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-being consists of several different dimensions, such as hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. However, peace of mind (PoM)—an aspect of well-being characterized by internal peace and harmony—has only recently begun to receive attention. It has been shown that PoM predicts important outcomes, such as depression and anxiety. An open question is what underlies individual differences in PoM. One important factor may be emotion regulation. However, to date, no studies have been conducted on PoM and emotion regulation. Here, we investigated the relationship between individual differences in PoM and trait emotion regulation. In two studies, participants from Finland (Study 1, N = 417) and the US (Study 2, N = 303) completed measures of PoM, trait emotion regulation, and other aspects of well-being and ill-being. Results showed that people with higher levels of PoM displayed a greater tendency to use cognitive reappraisal and a lesser tendency to use expressive suppression. Our findings suggest that adaptive emotion regulation may play an important role in explaining PoM and may serve as a promising target for interventions designed to enhance PoM. • Peace of mind (PoM) is an oft-overlooked aspect of well-being. • PoM is characterized by internal peace and harmony. • PoM is associated with a greater tendency to use cognitive reappraisal. • PoM is associated with a lesser tendency to use expressive suppression. • Adaptive emotion regulation may explain individual differences in PoM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that curiosity is associated with many positive variables and that these may be benefits of curiosity, but researchers have scarcely considered (a) which types of curiosity these potential benefits pertain to and (b) the potential drawbacks of curiosity. The present study examined the relationships of interest- and deprivation-type curiosity with four potential benefits that previous research has linked to curiosity (higher happiness, problem-solving confidence, open-mindedness, and empathic listening skills) and two potential drawbacks (higher distractibility and indecisiveness). Adults from the United Kingdom (N = 393) of diverse ages and socio-economic backgrounds completed an online questionnaire measuring dispositional interest- and deprivation-type curiosity, happiness, problem-solving confidence, open-mindedness, empathic listening skills, distractibility, and indecisiveness. As predicted, interest-curiosity was positively associated with all benefit variables, and surprisingly was negatively associated with both drawback variables. Deprivation-curiosity was positively associated with only one benefit variable (empathic listening) and one drawback variable (indecisiveness). Findings suggest that different curiosity types do not necessarily share the same potential benefits and drawbacks, and that interest-curiosity may be associated with more benefits than deprivation-curiosity. Future research should investigate the type-specificity of other potential benefits of curiosity, as well as investigate more potential drawbacks of curiosity. • Past research claims that highly curious people enjoy many psychosocial benefits. • We show that these correlations are not shared by all types of curiosity. • Interest-curiosity is linked to many variables suggested as benefits by past research. • Deprivation-curiosity correlates with fewer of these variables (only empathy). • We find that the potential drawbacks of curiosity may also be type specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extraversion is one of the most powerful predictors of happiness. From an evolutionary perspective, however, it is unlikely that a personality trait is unconditionally beneficial. The present research examined whether extraversion's 'happiness advantage' diminishes in the presence of pathogen threat, a context in which extraverted behaviors could bring more harm (i.e., infection) than good. Two studies found that pathogen threat can attenuate the relationship between extraversion and experiences of positive affect (PA). In Study 1, the extraversion-PA link was weaker but still significant among participants with stronger motive to avoid infectious diseases. In Study 2, the extraversion-PA link became non-significant when pathogen threat was experimentally cued. Moreover, this effect was specific to the threat of pathogens, but not others (i.e., physical violence). The present findings shed light on boundary conditions where extraversion may not always translate to greater happiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that optimism is positively related to emotional wellbeing. However, little is known about the emotion regulation mechanisms that potentially explain (i.e., mediate) this relationship. The present study was designed to address this issue. To this end, it examined emotion regulation strategies (i.e., appreciation, rumination, problem solving, and avoidance) that are theoretically and/or empirically related to optimism as possible mediators of the optimism-emotional wellbeing relationship. In the first of two phases, we established a baseline measure of dispositional optimism among 218 French adults. In the second phase, an experience sampling method was used to assess emotional wellbeing and emotion regulation strategy use over a 1-month period. A multiple mediation analysis suggested that the optimism-emotional wellbeing relationship is significantly mediated by appreciation and rumination but not by problem solving and avoidance. More specifically, engaging more in appreciation mediated 41 % of this relationship, while engaging less in rumination mediated 20 % of it. The results are discussed in light of the current knowledge on optimism, wellbeing, and emotion regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although psychopathy is commonly considered exclusively maladaptive, there is growing literature on the benefits and positive outcomes observed in a subset of individuals displaying high levels of psychopathic traits. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between adaptive traits known to correlate with the psychopathic personality and psychopathic traits on measures of well-being. Participants were N = 2209 (84 % females) Canadian university students who completed self-report measures of adaptive traits, psychopathic traits, and well-being. A cluster analysis based on adaptive and psychopathic traits resulted in four groups: individuals above-average on both traits (HT), individuals with under-average psychopathic traits and above-average adaptive traits (AP), individuals with above-average psychopathic traits and under-average adaptive traits (NP), and those under-average on both traits (LT). Our findings suggest that individuals with high levels of adaptive traits display higher levels of well-being (i.e., durable happiness, satisfaction with life, and self-esteem). These high levels of well-being were observed in both HT and AP groups, suggesting that individuals with high levels of psychopathic traits may not display lower well-being, so long as they also possess sufficient levels of adaptive traits. Our results are discussed through the different models of successful psychopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Executive functions are the cognitive skills that help people attain their goals, while grit describes persistent efforts to attain success. However, little research has hitherto examined the relationships among grit, executive functions, and well-being. This empirical study helps fill that gap. Three self-report psychological instruments were administered to 214 university students, and simple direct regression applied to the collected data to analyze the effects of the three variables. The results indicated that grit had positive relationships with both executive functions and well-being. The implications of these findings, and the limitations of the study's methods, are also discussed. • Executive functions are positively associated with grit. • Grit is positively associated with well-being. • Grit's focus and resilience components correlate positively with all well-being variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-sectional findings indicated the relationship between mindfulness, hope, and wellbeing. To address the limitations associated with cross-sectional designs, the present study sought to examine whether hope mediated the longitudinal relationship between mindfulness and subjective happiness during the pandemic. To examine these hypotheses, we used the Subjective Happiness Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and Dispositional Hope Scale by conducting two waves of surveys within a three-month interval, with 254 participants from 44 of Turkey's total 81 cities. Results of cross-lagged panel model for a half-longitudinal design indicated mindfulness conferred strengthening for subjective happiness three months later via hope. The current findings highlight the important roles of mindfulness and hope on subjective happiness during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer research finds that people derive greater enduring happiness from discretionary spending on experiential purchases (events that they personally encounter or live through) than material purchases (tangible objects that can be obtained and kept in their possession). While research in this area has contributed to our understanding of this "experiential advantage" by examining the underlying psychology of this phenomenon, individual differences in the experiential advantage have received less attention. The present investigation examines whether individual differences in savoring capacity affect the subjective well-being that consumers derive from experiential vs. material purchases. This research finds that the self-rated ability to savor positive experiences significantly predicts comparative purchase happiness, and uncovers an attenuation or reversal of the experiential advantage among those of lower savoring capacity. These results suggest that savoring is an important component to the experiential advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This preliminary study determined whether there are distinct family personality profiles encompassing child-mother-father triads. Data were from the Fullerton Longitudinal Study. Latent profile analysis (LPA) using the Five Factor Model was conducted, resulting in a 3-profile solution characterizing families. Emerging profiles were labeled ordinary , resilient , and unhealthful families. The profiles were validated by their relation to children's comprehensive happiness and global health assessed two decades later when adults. The profiles were differentially and meaningfully associated with these distal outcomes. Children from resilient families had the highest relative level of happiness, followed by children from ordinary families and then children from unhealthful families. Children from resilient and ordinary families were both healthier than children from unhealthful families. This research extends LPA methodology to the study of collective family personality profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are multiple factors associated with an increasing rate of loneliness. One common thread may be social disconnection and a reduced ability to feel safe in social settings for fear of giving to and receiving help from others. This study used an online survey to explore loneliness and its relationship with related psychological constructs of social connectedness, social safeness, subjective happiness, and fears of compassion in 177 adults (Female = 126), aged 18–70 years. The results showed that those with high loneliness reported significantly higher fears of expressing compassion for others and self, and receiving compassion from others, as well as lower reported social safeness, subjective happiness and social connection compared to those with reported low loneliness. Those with moderate levels of loneliness were not significantly different from the high loneliness group on fears of compassion towards others or measures of positive affect. The findings show that social safeness, and fears of receiving compassion from others or self are highly related to those with high levels of loneliness. • Loneliness occurs irrespective of demographic factors. • The ability to feel socially safe differentiates reported levels of loneliness. • Fear of receiving compassion from others, as an interpersonal relating style, is associated with higher levels of loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]