From Traits to Texts: Personality Predictors of Reading Flow

While research has explored reading flow and empathy as independent constructs, few studies have simultaneously examined the associations between these variables within a single model. This study investigated the pathways between personality, empathy, and aspects of reading flow state in a sample of undergraduate students in the midsouth United States (n = 197). We investigated whether openness and extraversion relate to reading flow and the degree to which empathy functions as a mediator in this process. Results indicated that openness significantly predicted reading flow, whereas extraversion served as a significant negative predictor. The mediation hypothesis was not supported, empathy failed to significantly predict reading flow despite its associations with personality subscales. Results revealed that reading flow impacts reading behavior, significantly predicting increased genre variety and annual reading volume. These findings suggest that the flow state in reading is primarily a function of openness rather than social-emotional processing associated with empathy.