Being with others and feeling happy: Emotional expressivity in everyday life

Chris J. Burgin, Leslie H. Brown, Amethyst Royal, Paul J. Silvia, Neus Barrantes-Vidal, Thomas R. Kwapil

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An experience sampling study assessed the relation between psychological functioning in daily life and emotional expressivity as measured by the emotional expressivity scale (EES). Four hundred and twenty-nine participants carried personal digital assistants that signaled them 8 times daily to complete questionnaires assessing affect, activities, and social contact. As predicted, participants high in emotional expressivity were more likely to have elevated state positive affect, but not negative affect. These participants were also less likely to be alone and more likely to demonstrate better social functioning when with others. Cross-level interactions indicated that emotional expressivity moderated the association of social context and functioning in the moment. The findings support the validity of the EES as a measure of emotional expressivity and demonstrate the utility of experience sampling for describing personality traits in daily life.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)185-190
Number of pages6
JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
Volume53
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Emotional expressivity
  • Experience sampling
  • Negative affect
  • Positive affect

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychology(all)

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