Passion, Trait Self-Control, and Wellbeing: Comparing Two Mediation Models Predicting Wellbeing

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Wellbeing Research
• Self-Control Studies

Background:

• Passion and trait self-control are known determinants of wellbeing.
• Previous research has not investigated the mediating roles of trait self-control and passion in their relationship with wellbeing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mediating influences of trait self-control and passion on the relationship between passion, trait self-control, and wellbeing.
• To propose and test two mediation models using the dualistic model of passion and neo-socioanalytic theory.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed 509 US volunteers passionate about a specific activity.
• Assessed harmonious and obsessive passion, trait self-control, and hedonic/eudaimonic wellbeing.
• Utilized mediation analyses to test two models: trait self-control mediating passion (model 1) and passion mediating trait self-control (model 2).

Main Results:

• Both proposed mediation models were statistically significant.
• Harmonious passion and trait self-control positively correlated with wellbeing; obsessive passion did not.
• Trait self-control partially mediated the relationship between harmonious passion and wellbeing (VAF = 33.136%).
• Harmonious passion showed minimal mediation of trait self-control's effect on wellbeing (VAF = 11.144%).

Conclusions:

• Trait self-control and harmonious passion are significant determinants of wellbeing.
• Trait self-control plays a notable mediating role in the passion-wellbeing connection.
• Findings underscore the adaptive nature of harmonious passion and trait self-control for enhancing wellbeing.