Current Research Interests:
Authenticity:
Authenticity is closely linked to psychological health and well-being, yet it remains an elusive and difficult-to-measure quality. To address this challenge, we focus on realness, a core feature of authenticity. Being real means expressing on the outside what one is feeling on the inside irrespective of potential consequences. We are interested in people’s real responses in social situations that differ in the pressure to conceal one’s thoughts, feelings, or wishes.
Authenticity is closely linked to psychological health and well-being, yet it remains an elusive and difficult-to-measure quality. To address this challenge, we focus on realness, a core feature of authenticity. Being real means expressing on the outside what one is feeling on the inside irrespective of potential consequences. We are interested in people’s real responses in social situations that differ in the pressure to conceal one’s thoughts, feelings, or wishes.
Individual differences in psychological responses to societal challenges:
People differ in their psychological responses to societal challenges; not everyone experienced the same worries when the COVID-19 pandemic reached Europe in 2020. One possible explanation for these differences lies in the Big Five personality traits: For example, highly neurotic individuals may have been primarily worried about their health, while extraverted individuals may have been more concerned about their social relationships. To better understand these differences in worry as responses to societal challenges, we examine moderators of this relationship using longitudinal data from the Socio-Economic Panel (2005-2023).
People differ in their psychological responses to societal challenges; not everyone experienced the same worries when the COVID-19 pandemic reached Europe in 2020. One possible explanation for these differences lies in the Big Five personality traits: For example, highly neurotic individuals may have been primarily worried about their health, while extraverted individuals may have been more concerned about their social relationships. To better understand these differences in worry as responses to societal challenges, we examine moderators of this relationship using longitudinal data from the Socio-Economic Panel (2005-2023).
Personality and Civic Engagement:
Civic engagement is essential for the healthy functioning democratic societies. Activities such as blood donation or volunteering are moreover linked to personal well-being. Previous research suggests that the Big Five personality traits predict inter-individual differences in civic engagement. However, longitudinal and nationally representative data on this relationship are scarce. To address this gap, we are examining the link between civic engagement and personality traits over a two-year period in a representative Swiss sample.
Civic engagement is essential for the healthy functioning democratic societies. Activities such as blood donation or volunteering are moreover linked to personal well-being. Previous research suggests that the Big Five personality traits predict inter-individual differences in civic engagement. However, longitudinal and nationally representative data on this relationship are scarce. To address this gap, we are examining the link between civic engagement and personality traits over a two-year period in a representative Swiss sample.
Personality Change Through Digital Intervention:
Neuroticism is closely linked to personal suffering and mental health problems, and further causes social and economic costs. Recent research shows that personality traits like neuroticism are not set in stone but continue to develop across the lifespan and are more malleable than previously thought. We study specific digital interventions designed to reduce neuroticism and thereby promoting mental health.
Neuroticism is closely linked to personal suffering and mental health problems, and further causes social and economic costs. Recent research shows that personality traits like neuroticism are not set in stone but continue to develop across the lifespan and are more malleable than previously thought. We study specific digital interventions designed to reduce neuroticism and thereby promoting mental health.