Predicting life satisfaction from big five personality dimensions: Moderation by national goals for socializing children

This research examines the link between personality dimensions and satisfaction with life, assessing whether this link is moderated by a nation`s goals for socializing its children. We use representative national samples from 23 nations participating in wave 6 of the World Values Survey, and find main positive effects for Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Emotional Stability. However, effects for Conscientiousness and Emotional Stability were stronger in nations socializing their children for self-directedness. In addition, effects for Extraversion became positive but only in Self-directed nations. These findings are discussed in terms of attaining the fundamental goals of sociality and achievement served by the five factors of personality in different cultural contexts for socializing human capital.