Background:
This study investigates the relationships between an individual’s self-satisfaction within different life areas, which correspond to Bracken’s self-concept primary domains (competence, family, social, physical, emotional, and academic domains), and Zuckerman’s Alternative Five-Factor Model of Personality (AFFM). It is supposed that the AFFM, as a psychobiological personality model which allows causal explanations, could provide a comprehensive insight into the nature of satisfaction with self.

Participants and procedure:
The study included 489 adults (64% women), between 18 and 60 years old, who completed the short Self-Satisfaction Scale (SC-6) and the Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire (ZKA-PQ). Relations between personality factors and facets from the ZKA-PQ and self-satisfaction measures were analyzed using correlational and multiple regression analysis. The relationship of self-satisfaction with gender and age was also analyzed.

Results:
Based on responses to scales, 11% to 43% of the variance in self-satisfaction responses was predicted by personality, age, and sex. Extraversion had positive predictive weights for each self-satisfaction dimension. Neuroticism had negative predictive weights which were significant except for satisfaction with family. Sensation seeking negatively predicted satisfaction with competencies, family, academic aspects, emotions, and overall satisfaction. Aggression had small negative predictor weights for satisfaction with social and academic aspects. Activity had significant positive predictor weights for competencies, academic aspects, emotions, and overall satisfaction.

Conclusions:
The findings suggest that personality predicts satisfaction with aspects of the self, and that the AFFM provides an adequate theoretical framework, which includes a lower level of personality traits in the explanation of the nature of a person’s satisfaction, in general or related to specific life contexts.