The Mediating Role of Personal Initiative in Relationship of Curiosity with Psychological Well-Being and Depression

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of personal initiative in the relationship between curiosity and psychological well-being and depression. The sample consisted of 391 students from ShahidChamran University of Ahvaz, Iran in academic year 2015/ 2016. The sample were selected using multi-stage random cluster sampling method. The participants completed the Curiosity Scale (CS; Kashehdan, Rose, Fincham, 2004), the Personal Initiative Scale (PI; Robitschek, 1998), the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS; Ryff, 1989) and the Depression Scale (DS; Beck, Steer & Brown, 1966).The proposed model fit was examined through structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicated a direct effect of curiosity on the psychological well-being and depression. Personal initiative played mediating role in the relationship between curiosity and psychological well-being and depression. The findings suggested the direct and indirect roles of cognitive characteristic in fulfilling the potentials and enhancing mental and psychological health.