The mediating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between Enneagram personality system and mental well-being: A structural equation modeling approach

Abstract

Objective: The Enneagram Personality System (EPS) describes nine interconnected personality types characterized by distinct patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior. This study aimed to examine the associations of Enneagram personality types and subtypes with psychological well-being (PW) and to investigate the mediating role of psychological flexibility (PF) and its dimensions in these associations. Patıents and Methods: A total of 288 participants completed a sociodemographic form, the Enneagram Types and Subtypes Inventory (ETASI), the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale-Short Form (WEMWBS-SF), and the Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Processes (CompACT). Results: Types 7 and 3 had the strongest positive associations with PW, while Types 6 and 4 showed negative associations. PF significantly mediated these relationships, with the Social subtype demonstrating the strongest indirect effect, followed by Types 8, 7, and 3. Among PF dimensions, Values had the most substantial impact, whereas Acceptance was consistently insignificant across all models. Conclusion: These findings provide insights into how adaptive psychological processes interact with personality traits, offering practical implications for clinical interventions and personal development strategies.

Keywords

• Psychological flexibility
• Well-being
• Enneagram personality
• Value

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