Mapping domains of life success: Insights from meta-analytic criterion profile analysis.

Abstract

Experiencing success in life has been a principal human endeavor for millennia. Despite broad interest in the subject, no consensual taxonomy exists for domains of life success. In response, we conceptualize and define life success as a multidimensional construct domain, and we then validate a provisional rational taxonomy of 14 life success categories. We subsequently use this taxonomy to quantitatively review and synthesize meta-analyses reporting relations of the Big Five personality traits to variables associated with life success. Altogether, we identify 111 meta-analyses reporting relations to 206 variables, representing N > 2.25 million participants from k > 3,300 studies. First, we examine the extent to which Big Five traits predict life success variables. Next, we distinguish the extent to which prediction is due to personality's elevation (profile level effects) or its configuration (profile pattern effects) using meta-analytic criterion profile analysis (Wiernik et al., 2021). Finding that configurations are vital, we then use clustering algorithms to synthesize similarities among personality configurations across variables and uncover 10 clusters that are hierarchically nested in three metaclusters: contentment (gratification, balance, deference), agentic engagement (accomplishment, high performance, citizenship, ingenuity, leadership), and self-transcendence (support, inclusion). We suggest that these 10 life success clusters represent archetypal life success goals and their associated personality profiles reflect archetypal means for realizing these diverse ends. In summary, we provide a theoretically integrative map of domains of life success. We conclude by discussing implications and future research directions, as well as contributions and limitations of our findings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).