The Multiple Determination of Well-Being: Independent Effects of Positive Needs, Traits, Goals, Selves, and Social Supports, and Cultural Contexts

• Main Authors: SHELDON, Kennon M., TAN, Hwee Hoon
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2007
• Subjects: subjective well-being; personality hierarchies; culture; Organizational Behavior and Theory
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/2667; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-006-9031-4
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Although most researchers acknowledge that subjective well-being (SWB) is multiply determined, little research and theory simultaneously considers the effects of many types of determinants, located at many different levels of analysis. Guided by a six-level model of optimal human being (Sheldon, 2004, 'Optimal Human Being: An Integrated Multi-level Perspective' (Erlbaum, Mahwah, N.J.)), we tested the hypothesis that psychological need-satisfaction, a positive Big Five trait profile, good personal goal-progress, high self-esteem, positive social support, and a happiness-conducing cultural membership would each uniquely predict SWB. These hypotheses were confirmed, supporting the hierarchical perspective and irreducibility assumption that under-girded the research. Implications for SWB theory and interventions, and for the task of integrating the many different types of personality constructs that exist, are discussed.