Situational factors and personality traits as determinants of college students’ mood

• We measured mood of students in six academic situations.
• We also measured students’ personality traits according to the five factor model.
• Each mood dimension had different dynamics during the semester.
• Neuroticism and conscientiousness were most consistent predictors of mood.
• Tense and energetic arousals correlation varied across situations.

In the present study we measured three dimensions of mood (energetic arousal, tense arousal, and hedonic tone) using a student sample in six academic situations. The first three measurements took place during neutral lectures, the fourth and fifth before and after an exam, respectively, and the last during the two weeks after the exam when students’ grades were announced. Moreover, we also measured students’ personality traits according to the five factor model. The study revealed a few significant results. First, each mood dimension had different dynamics during the semester. Second, the most consistent personality predictors of mood were neuroticism (positive relationship with tense arousal and negative with hedonic tone) and conscientiousness (positive association with energetic arousal). Moreover, the results showed different relationships between tense and energetic arousals across situations, with the weakest association being before an exam.