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. 2016 Nov;25(11):2897-2908.
doi: 10.1007/s11136-016-1296-4. Epub 2016 Apr 20.

Individuals' quality of life linked to major life events, perceived social support, and personality traits

Cornelia Pocnet  1 , Jean-Philippe Antonietti  2 , Marie-Pierre F Strippoli  3 , Jennifer Glaus  4 , Martin Preisig  3 , Jérôme Rossier  2
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Free article

Individuals' quality of life linked to major life events, perceived social support, and personality traits

Cornelia Pocnet et al. Qual Life Res. 2016 Nov.
Free article

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between major recent life events that occurred during the last 5 years, social and personal resources, and subjective quality of life (QoL).

Methods: A total of 1801 participants from the general population (CoLaus/PsyCoLaus study) completed the Life Events Questionnaire, the Social Support Questionnaire, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory Revised, and the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life.

Results: Major life events were modestly associated with the QoL (about 5 % of the explained variance). However, QoL was significantly related to perceived social support and personality traits (about 37 % of the explained variance). Particularly, perceived social support, extraversion and conscientiousness personality dimensions were positively linked to life satisfaction, whereas a high level of neuroticism was negatively associated with QoL.

Conclusion: This study highlights the negative but temporary association between critical events and QoL. However, a combination of high conscientiousness and extraversion, and positive social support may explain better variances for a high-perceived QoL.

Keywords: Life events; Perceived social support; Personality; Subjective quality of life.

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