Intraindividual variability in affect: Reliability, validity, and personality correlates.
Abstract
This article gives an overview of previous work on affect variability, discusses the methodological shortcomings of research on affect variability, and presents the results of an empirical study of intraindividual variability in primary emotions across time. The results of a daily assessment study using structural equation modeling and nonlinear regression analyses showed that intraindividual variability in affect is a multidimensional construct that is sufficiently stable to he considered a psychological trait and can be reliably measured by the intraindividual standard deviation. Intraindividual variability showed convergent validity with mean level scores and neuroticism but was sufficiently distinct to be considered a unique trait. This was particularly true of intraindividual variability in positive emotions; only about 10% of t he variance could be accounted for by mean affect levels and the variables of the 5-factor model of personality.
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Intra-individual emotional variability can reflect individual differences and can be considered a valid and reliable trait.
“When assessed within and between days, intra-individual emotional variability can reflect individual differences and can even be considered a valid and reliable trait in its own right11,13.”
From Little evidence for sex or ovarian hormone influences on affective variability (2021) · cites this paper as [11]
The daily indices used here are likely reasonable: they align with a trait-like conceptualization of affective variability, have relatively low inter-relations, and produced consistent evidence.
“The daily indices used here are likely reasonable: They align with a trait-like conceptualization of affective variability11, have relatively low inter-relations14, and yet, produced consistent evidence.”
From Little evidence for sex or ovarian hormone influences on affective variability (2021) · cites this paper as [11]
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- Authors
- Eid, M., & Diener, E.
- Affiliations
- Universität Trier (DE)
- Venue
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- Published
- 1999-04
- Volume
- 76
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 662-676
- ISSN
- 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1315
- OpenAlex
- W2018803503
- Cited by
- 571
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 26
- FWCI
- 12.04
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- within-person variability, affect variability, basic emotions, positive emotions, neuroticism, convergent validity, reliability statistics
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