Abstract

Non-depression (i.e., the reverse of depression), life satisfaction, and life meaning are conceptually three different aspects of well-being. Their similarities and dissimilarities in relation to personality traits are an uncharted concern. For this concern, this study analyzes data collected from 6,210 Chinese students attending 52 colleges in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau. Results show that on all the three well-being factors, neuroticism had negative effects, and extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness had positive effects. However, non-depression did not have significant effects on life satisfaction and life meaning. By contrast, personality traits still had effects on life meaning, after controlling for nondepression. Results unfold similarities and dissimilarities among the three well-being factors.