Comparing the predictive utility of trait affect and average daily affect for the prospective prediction of health outcomes

Emily C. Willroth*, Eileen K. Graham, Daniel K. Mroczek

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

In preregistered secondary data analyses, we compared the predictive utility of trait affect and average daily affect for predicting three health outcomes across nine years (N = 1,376). Trait positive and negative affect were assessed using a 25-item dispositional questionnaire. Average daily affect was assessed as the mean of eight daily diary reports of the same items. Trait affect and average daily affect both had medium associations with self-reported general health and chronic health conditions. Moreover, both types of affect predicted mortality when adjusting for baseline health and demographics. Effect sizes were comparable for trait compared to daily affect. These findings demonstrate convergent predictive validity of trait and daily affect measures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number103966
JournalJournal of Research in Personality
Volume87
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2020

Keywords

  • Affect
  • Daily diary
  • Mortality
  • Physical health
  • Trait

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Psychology(all)

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