Linking personality to gratitude in the Chinese context: The mediating role of regulatory emotional self-efficacy

Previous studies have demonstrated that the relationship between personality traits and emotional experience. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. The present study examined the mediating role of regulatory emotional self-efficacy on the relationship between personality traits and gratitude. Using a cross-sectional examination, a sample of 407 adults completed measures of personality traits, regulatory emotional self-efficacy, and gratitude. Results showed that extraversion was positively related to gratitude and regulatory emotional self-efficacy, and neuroticism was negatively related to gratitude and regulatory emotional self-efficacy. Results also indicated that regulatory emotional self-efficacy mediated the association between the two personality traits (extraversion and neuroticism) and gratitude. In addition, results revealed a reciprocal relationship between regulatory emotional self-efficacy and gratitude. The present findings highlight the importance of beliefs in guiding individuals' behavior and emotional experience. Longitudinal studies and positive emotions interventions aimed at improving well-being could be implemented in the future.