Longitudinal investigation of mood variability and the ffm: neuroticism predicts variability in extended states of positive and negative affect

Mood variability is an important individual difference tendency that has received insufficient attention. The present study sought to advance understanding of mood variability by longitudinally investigating the personality correlates of variability in Positive Affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA). In contrast to previous research, extended mood states (“mood over the past four weeks”) were the focus of attention. A substantial random community sample (n=303 adults) gave mood reports twice a year for 2 years. Personality was measured on the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), averaged across the four waves. Consistent with extant research, the general vulnerability trait N arose as the sole significant predictor of mood variability. Importantly, this finding applied both to variation in NA (anxiety) and also PA (reward motivation or engagement). It is concluded that mood variability is a robust construct, with descriptive and potentially aetiological importance in affective vulnerability.