Velocity explains the links between personality states and affect

- Tested perceived rate of progress toward a goal (velocity) as a mediator.
- Multilevel path modeling was employed as the primary analytic strategy.
- Increased velocity mediated the state extraversion-state positive affect association.
- Decreased velocity mediated the state neuroticism-state negative affect association.
- Results have implications for personality and affective states, and theories of self-regulation.

The present research examined whether perceived rate of progress toward a goal (velocity) mediated the relationships between personality states and affective states. Drawing from control theories of self-regulation, we hypothesized (i) that increased velocity would mediate the association between state extraversion and state positive affect, and (ii) that decreased velocity would mediate the association between state neuroticism and state negative affect. We tested these hypotheses in 2 experience sampling methodology studies that each spanned 2 weeks. Multilevel modeling analyses showed support for each of the bivariate links in our model, and multilevel path analyses supported our mediation hypotheses. We discuss implications for understanding the relations between personality states and affective states, control theories of self-regulation, and goal striving.