Extraversion–Emotional Stability Circumplex Traits and Subjective Well-Being

Drawing upon arguments for the interaction of extraversion and emotional stability in predicting subjective well-being (SWB), we examined the relationship between the extraversion–emotional stability International Personality Item Pool Abridged Big Five Circumplex (AB5C) traits and SWB (NA, PA, and life satisfaction). This AB5C circumplex measures emotional stability and extraversion as well as two positive blends and two negative blends of these traits. Results indicated that the positive blends of extraversion and emotional stability, happiness and poise, were not only correlated with SWB but also explained incremental validity over their Big Five factors. The negative blends of extraversion and emotional stability, talkativeness and impulse control, did not show the same pattern as the positive blends but did display some curvilinear relationships with SWB. While still fitting into the Big Five model, these circumplex traits offer a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between personality and SWB.