Personality and Wellbeing: How Conscientiousness and Openness Influence Wellbeing Through Intrinsic and Extrinsic Goal Aspirations and Attainment

Abstract

Well-being is a major focus of psychological research worldwide. Although environmental factors, personality traits, and goal achievement each predict well-being, they are often examined in isolation. However, it remains unclear how these factors are connected, for example, whether personality influences well-being in part through its impact on goal setting and goal attainment. The present study examines whether conscientiousness and openness relate to well-being through goal aspirations and goal attainment. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, intrinsic and extrinsic goals were tested as mediating pathways connecting conscientiousness and openness to well-being. Using data from 1,892 adults across 51 countries, multiple mediation analyses showed that both conscientiousness and openness were positively associated with well-being. Conscientiousness predicted greater intrinsic goal importance and intrinsic goal attainment, which partially mediated its relationship with well-being. Conscientiousness also negatively predicted extrinsic goal importance. Openness strongly predicted intrinsic goal importance and attainment, while negatively predicting extrinsic goals. The association between openness and well-being was fully mediated by intrinsic goal attainment. Extrinsic goal importance and attainment were not significantly related to well-being. Overall, these findings highlight intrinsic goal pursuit as a key psychological mechanism through which personality traits impact well-being.