University of Twente Student Theses
The relationship of personality and subjective wellbeing before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Unval, S. (2022) The relationship of personality and subjective wellbeing before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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| Abstract: | Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has a great impact on the mental health of many people worldwide. Fear of illness, losing a loved one, and governmental restrictions have been the source of mental distress. This research focuses on subjective wellbeing (SWB) and the differences in personality traits. SWB contains the aspects, life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. To measure individual reactions, the personality traits extraversion and neuroticism, are taken into consideration. This research aims to identify the influence of extraversion and neuroticism on SWB before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the change and stability of the variables are measured. Methods: Data from the LISS panel, which collects data from a large sample, was used. A longitudinal design was used for four years, two years before the COVID-19 pandemic (2017 and 2019), and two years during (2020 and 2021). Life satisfaction was measured with the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Positive and negative affect was measured with the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Personality is measured using the Personality International Personality Item Pool (IPIP). Approximately 3.500 participants were included per questionnaire. Only respondents who have participated in all four years have been taken into account. A repeated measures analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis have been conducted. Results: Life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect remained stable during the COVID19 pandemic. Additionally, extraversion does not seem to play a great role in regression analysis as well. Also, neuroticism had a greater impact on SWB (particularly on negative affect) than extraversion. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic did not have any particular influence on the outcomes. Also, the influence of extraversion and neuroticism was not greater during the pandemic. Implications for future research are that research should focus on individuals high in neuroticism to improve their SWB. Implications for practice are that people high in neuroticism should receive more psychological support, particularly during stressful times. Key terms: Subjective Wellbeing, Personality, Extraversion, Neuroticism, COVID-19, pandemic. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/92065 |
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