Work

Validation of a momentary measure of personal expressiveness: Evidence of structural, convergent, discriminant, and known-groups validity

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Personal expressiveness (PE) reflects the subjective experience of eudaimonic engagement during activity participation, capturing how strongly activities align with a person's inherent potentials. This study introduces and validates a momentary PE measure for experience sampling research using data from 52 adults (1478 observations). Multilevel confirmatory factor analysis supported a coherent PE factor at both within- and between-person levels, indicating that personal expressiveness reflects a consistent experiential dimension observable both across situations and across people. Convergent validity was evidenced by positive PE–flow associations, while discriminant validity was supported by their distinct two-factor structure and context-varying associations. Known-groups validity emerged through systematic activity differences, with parenting and leisure highest in PE. Findings support the validity of a momentary measure for assessing personal expressiveness as it unfolds across everyday activities and contexts in daily life.

Source: Personality and Individual Differences

DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2026.113965

Authors: Eli A. Waxler, Jeanne Nakamura

Institution: Claremont Graduate University

Language: English

Topic: Flow Experience in Various Fields

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,170