Feelings of personal expressiveness predict future increases in life satisfaction and meaning in life: A four-wave longitudinal study.

LIFE satisfaction; LONGITUDINAL method; MENTAL health; INTERPERSONAL relations; EMOTIONS

There is a dearth of longitudinal studies on the relationship between feelings of personal expressiveness and mental well-being and not much is known about the direction of the observed relationships. Using a four-wave longitudinal data set (N = 338) collected over approximately 14 months, the present study examined the reciprocal relationships between personal expressiveness and two indicators of well-being: life satisfaction and meaning in life. Results showed that personal expressiveness predicted future levels of life satisfaction and meaning in life, whereas well-being variables did not predict future personal expressiveness. Thus, engaging in personally expressive activities and the resulting feelings of personal expressiveness precede and predict future well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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