Cognitive Component Of Subjective Well-being Research Articles

Your Need for Cognition, Cognitive Flexibility, and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies Matter! The Path beyond a Satisfied Life

This study explored the associations among cognitive flexibility, cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies, need for cognition, and life satisfaction, which represents a cognitive component of subjective well-being. Previous studies have shown the importance of adaptive CER strategies for well-being, while maladaptive strategies have been linked to negative outcomes such as psychological distress, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, the need for cognition has been associated with cognitive flexibility and positive outcomes in various domains. However, the specific roles of cognitive flexibility and CER strategies in the relationship between need for cognition and life satisfaction remain relatively unexplored in the existing literature. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating how cognitive flexibility and different CER strategies contribute to the relationship between need for cognition and life satisfaction in a non-clinical sample of 239 adults via a survey consisting of a demographic information form, need for cognition scale, cognitive flexibility inventory, cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire, and satisfaction with life scale. The results demonstrated that when individuals with a high need for cognition had cognitive flexibility, they were more likely to use adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, resulting in elevated life satisfaction. The findings of this study may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms that influence individuals’ cognitive processes, cognitive emotional regulation, and overall life satisfaction. Such understanding can have implications for interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive flexibility, promoting adaptive CER strategies, and ultimately fostering improved life satisfaction.

Social support predicted subsequent subjective well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective study

BackgroundSubjective well-being (SWB) is associated with social support in cross-sectional studies. However, it remains unclear whether and how social support predicts SWB longitudinally, especially during the COVID-19 contingency.MethodsBy adopting a prospective design, the current work addressed this research question in a sample of 594 participants from the U.K. The data were collected via the online platform, Prolific, at two time points (June, 2020 and August, 2021) with a 14-month interval. Descriptive analysis and a moderated mediation model were conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.ResultsBaseline social support was a significant predictor of subjective well-being (SWB) 14 months later, even after controlling for baseline SWB and other covariates such as personality traits. Additionally, affect balance (i.e., the affective component of SWB) fully mediated the link between baseline social support and subsequent life satisfaction (i.e., the cognitive component of SWB). Moreover, household income moderated this relationship, indicating a stronger mediation for individuals with lower monthly household income.ConclusionThe present work sheds light on the underlying mechanism and boundary condition of the association between social support and different components of SWB during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A multivariate twin study of the genetic association between present moment attention and subjective wellbeing

Considerable evidence supports the role of present-moment attention, a central feature of mindfulness, in subjective wellbeing maintenance and enhancement. Yet it is not clear why such a relation exists. This study examined the genetic and environmental contributions of present-moment attention to subjective wellbeing. Consistent with the “generalist genes hypothesis” and prior evidence, we hypothesized that presence and subjective wellbeing would show a substantial genetic correlation and smaller environmental correlation. Using a large epidemiological sample of healthy 16-year-old twins in the United Kingdom (N = 1136 monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs), genetic overlap was found between presence and the cognitive component of subjective wellbeing (life satisfaction), and to a lesser extent, the affective component of subjective wellbeing (operationalized as happiness). The non-shared environmental overlap between these constructs was substantial. This study provides the first evidence known to us showing that present-centered attention, a primary component of mindfulness, has both genetic and environmental overlap with subjective wellbeing. The findings have implications for understanding mechanisms by which presence is associated with positive emotions and life satisfaction, and suggest, pending additional research, that mindfulness-based interventions to enhance wellbeing may be best suited to those with a genetic propensity toward mindful presence.

Субъективное благополучие в связи с различными формами активности студенческой молодежи

Social activity is the sphere of students’ personal socialization and fulfillment. The study of interconnection between adherence to various forms of social activity and characteristics of subjective well-being allows unveiling the most general parameters of student activity’s consistence and personal orientation. The purpose of the study is to carry our analysis of the interconnection between subjective well-being characteristics and social activity forms. It is assumed that various forms of activity have the potential for satisfying students’ psychological needs and creating a balance between the desired and the real situation. Participants. 215 university students of Russia (aged from 17 to 27; the mean age was М = 20,2; SD = 2.44 (42.3% males). Measurements. The following techniques were used: questionnaire for defining major demographic characteristics and adherence to various forms of activity that were classified as follows: civil-political, protest-subcultural, spiritual-educational, and leisure activity, to define subjective well-being characteristics we used the Basic Needs Satisfaction in General Scale (M. M. Johnston, S. Finney); Subjective well-being scale (S. Lyubomirsky, H. Lepper); Life satisfaction scale (E. Diener); Social frustration technique (L. I. Wasserman). Results. The cognitive component of subjective well-being in students is coupled with their desire for civil and political participation, volunteerism, potential development, and education. Emotional component is positively correlated with implementation of spiritual search, educational activity, self-development; it is negatively correlated with protest forms of activity and participation in sub-cultural movements. It has been found out that leisure forms of activity are correlated with satisfaction of basic needs for autonomy, competence and pertinence; protest-subcultural forms of activity do not fully promote satisfaction of the need for autonomy and competence; students’ adherence to civil-political and spiritual-educational activity is linked with satisfaction of their need for competence. Conclusions. The most psychologically-tense forms of students’ social activity are the protest ones, as well as participation in subcultural movements; they are related to basic needs’ frustration and social frustration.

The Relationship between Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction among Omani Teachers

Teachers' health habits can have an impact on their students. Despite this, few studies have been conducted to investigate teacher physical activity and its relationship to life satisfaction. The prevalence of obesity has steadily increased over the years. Among both genders, the age-adjusted prevalence of being overweight or obese is higher among Omani participants across time. This study looks into how physical activity relates to life satisfaction among Oman's teachers. Some 671 teachers (40.3% male; 59.7% female) aged 20-50 years took part in the survey. Participants were recruited using a Google form survey. SPSS statistical tools were used to analyse the collected data. According to the findings, Physical Activity has a significant positive correlation with life satisfaction. The findings also revealed that gender influenced Omani teacher life satisfaction, with female teachers having higher life satisfaction than males. This study found no significant differences in life satisfaction based on age or Body Mass Index (BMI). This study was intended for use in public schools. More research can be conducted in both private and public schools. In sum, health promotion professionals might develop plans to improve employee health status if they had a better grasp of impact of factors associated with physical activity participation. As a result, there will be improvement in worker life satisfaction, which is considered to be a cognitive component of subjective well-being.

Subjective Well-Being and Its Macroeconomic and Institutional Predictors: A Panel Data Analysis of South Asian Countries

Most studies that investigated the impact of macro-economic factors (GDP per capita, income inequality, inflation, unemployment, health expenditure, etc.) and institutional factors (i.e., gender equality, corruption etc.) focused on the global context or developed countries or European countries. There was little information about the impact of these objective variables on the subjective well-being of South Asian countries. Simultaneously, these studies focused on the cognitive component of subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, happiness, etc.) and ignored the affective components (i.e., positive affect and negative affect). This study assessed the impact of these objective factors on subjective well-being (including cognitive and affective components) in South Asian countries. The country-level panel data for the study variables from 2007 to 2019 (13 years) were used in this study. Pooled ordinal least square model, fixed-effects model, and random-effects model with fixed–year effect and clustered standard error were estimated. The results suggested that log GDP per capita, income inequality, unemployment, and gender equality were significant predictors of life satisfaction. GDP per capita and gender equality were substantial predictors of positive affect; inflation, health expenditure, and gender equality were significant predictors of negative affect. These findings have importance in policy discussions to improve the well-being of south Asian people. There were some differences in the findings with previous studies investigating the association between study variables in global or developed country contexts. These differences emphasize considering the cultural differences in studying subjective well-being. Keywords: domestic product, income inequality, gender equality, subjective well-being, South Asia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.60.51

О различном вкладе личностных характеристик в компоненты субъективного благополучия

Background. Due to global changes and growing socio-cultural uncertainty, it is important to determine which personal traits allow a person to maintain a high level of subjective well-being in modern conditions of living. Objective. The article aims to determine the contribution of personal traits (perfectionism, coping strategies and tolerance for ambiguity) to the components of subjective well-being (life satisfaction and subjective happiness). Sample. The study involved 142 respondents (123 females, 19 males), students of Moscow universities (mean age = 19,32, SD = 0,644). Methods. Respondents were offered to complete 6 questionnaires: «Three-factor perfectionism questionnaire», «Proactive coping abbreviated questionnaire», «Diagnostic technique of stress coping» of D. Amirkhan, «Scales of tolerance and intolerance to ambiguity in modification of S. Badner’s questionnaire», «Subjective happiness scale» of S. Lyubomirsky, «The satisfaction with life scale » by E. Diener. Statistical processing of the data was performed using statistics system, IBM SPSS Statistics 23 macros PROCESS, using regression and moderator analyses. Results. Regression analysis revealed the positive contribution of proactive coping and the negative contribution of the perfectionism component "negative selectivity and fixation on one’s own imperfection" both to individual components of subjective well-being and to its integral indicator. The proactive coping strategy "seeking social support" contributes to the cognitive component of subjective well-being and its integral indicator, while not affecting the emotional component. Moderator model shows an increase in subjective well-being when using a proactive coping strategy, regardless of the level of the perfectionism component "negative selectivity and fixation on one’s own imperfection". Conclusion. Such personal traits as proactive coping strategies (proactive coping, seeking social support) and the perfectionism component of "negative selectivity..." contribute to the level of subjective well-being. Proactive coping also levels the connection between perfectionism and subjective well-being.

Variables predictoras de la satisfacción vital: Comparaciones entre estudiantes universitarios de minorías sexuales en Chile

In recent years, there has been a growing shift in research on sexual orientation. This focus has moved from centering on negative experiences, related to psychopathology and stigmatization, to examining subjective well-being factors in individuals belonging to these populations. In Latin American countries such as Chile, a scarcely explored link in this regard is satisfaction with life –the cognitive component of subjective well-being– and associated variables. The minority stress model indicates that individuals who belong to minority groups are exposed to additional stressors to which the general population is not exposed. These specific stressors are related to the marginalization, prejudice and exclusion suffered by the minority group of belonging. Researchers have shown that these stressors and their consequences may result in lower life satisfaction in non-heterosexual people compared to their heterosexual peers. Furthermore, different non-heterosexual orientations face specific forms of prejudice and, therefore, could experience a different impact on their life satisfaction. In this paper, the distinction is made between individuals with a monosexual orientation (towards one gender) and those with a plurisexual orientation, (towards more than one gender or independently of gender); namely, lesbians and gay men (LG) on the one hand, and bisexuals and pansexuals (BP) on the other. Research indicates that BP people experience lower levels of well-being than LG individuals. Compared to the latter, BP individuals tend to disclose their sexual orientation to a lesser extent, perceive less social support, and experience greater exclusion from community spaces destined to the general community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and other queer identities (LGBTIQ+). Moreover, these differences between non-heterosexual orientations in terms of life satisfaction have been little explored in Latin American university students. To fill this gap in the literature, the general objective of this study was to compare the levels of disclosure of sexual orientation, perceived social support, connectedness with the LGBTIQ+ community, and life satisfaction among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and pansexual university students. Four hypotheses were proposed that addressed the comparisons between LG and BP participants for these variables. A non-probability sample of 82 LGBP university students was recruited to answer an online questionnaire. Of the sample, 32.9 % were lesbian or gay, and 67.1 % were bisexual or pansexual. Most participants were women (67.1 %), compared to 29.3 % men and 3.7 % of another gender. The questionnaire consisted of a section of sociodemographic data, a sexual orientation disclosure scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the LGBTIQ + Community Connectedness Scale, and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Analyses included comparisons of means between groups. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted for the Connectedness Scale to test its validity. Results showed that LG and BP students reported similar levels of perceived social support, community connectedness, and life satisfaction, while LG students tended to disclose their sexual orientation to more people than BP students. A positive association was also found between perceived social support and life satisfaction, and between connectedness and disclosure of sexual orientation. The CFA showed that the Connectedness Scale is valid for its use in university samples in Chile and other Latin American populations. Limitations regarding sample size and recommendations for future research are discussed. This study contributes to the knowledge about variables associated with life satisfaction in non-heterosexual university students, highlighting the differential needs for support of those with a monosexual orientation (lesbians and gays) and those with a plurisexual orientation (bisexual and pansexual). https://doi.org/10.16888/interd.2023.40.1.13

Moderators of the Connection between Pro-social Behavior and Life Satisfaction

The principal aim of this article is to explore the mechanism of association between informal helping behavior and life satisfaction among Russians. It especially focuses on the potential moderating role of the close relationship between the agent and the beneficiary, as well as the values and demographic characteristics of the agent. To test the main hypotheses, multiple regression analysis is applied to online survey data (N=732) with respondents sampled from a large consumer panel. As expected, a significant positive relationship was observed between the cognitive component of subjective well-being and the self-reported frequency of helping both close ones and strangers, with the association being more pronounced in the former case. At the same time, the effect of pro-social action towards relatives and friends appeared to vary depending on the value orientation and age of the respondent: in older people (51+), as well as those who attach greater importance to the equal treatment of all people (high score on Universalism), helping relatives is not as closely associated with subjective well-being. As far as the positive effect of helping strangers on life satisfaction is concerned, no significant moderation effects were detected, which indicates its relative universality. The potential implications for kindness interventions and volunteer recruitment as well as the prospects for future research are discussed in the conclusion.

Assessing the cognitive component of subjective well-being: Revisiting the satisfaction with life scale with classical test theory and item response theory

Life satisfaction is generally regarded as the cognitive component of subjective well-being, as opposed to positive and negative affect, which are regarded as the affective components. This topic has been extensively studied worldwide and has been linked to a variety of outcomes related to the work context as well as psychological well-being. In this study, we examine the psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), one of the most widely used measures of life satisfaction, using three different approaches: classical test theory, Rasch analysis and Mokken analysis. Combining these three approaches provides a more comprehensive validation of an instrument. In this study, schoolteachers (n = 355) completed the SWLS, the trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale and the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale. The three approaches confirmed the reliability, validity and unidimensional nature of the SWLS, thus supporting its continued use as a measure of life satisfaction in the South African context.

The effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the subjective well-being of the Israeli population-monitored phase by phase.

The paper examined the effect of the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 on the cognitive and affective components of subjective well-being (SWB) over time in Israel. Just before the first verified patient, we ran a survey of the general population that included questions concerning both components of SWB, self-rated health, income satisfaction, and other socio-demographic aspects. The same survey among different respondents from the same population during the lockdown period when no exit strategy had been conveyed, and for the third time when the exit strategy was publicized and began to be implemented. The findings show that the cognitive component of SWB, as measured by Cantril’s Ladder, remained stable over the long term. The average respondent reported unchanged life evaluation even when the individual’s negative feelings rose by 52%, and positive feelings fell by 16%. We show evidence for a structural change in the weighting of feelings and self-rated health in life satisfaction function.

The link between individualism-collectivism and life satisfaction among emerging adults from four countries.

The current investigation tested life satisfaction (LS), a cognitive component of subjective well-being, among emerging adults, in the context of individualism (I) and collectivism (C), by distinguishing both cultural and individual levels of analysis, considering their horizontal (H) and vertical (V) dimensions, and controlling age and gender effects. Emerging adults (N=1760 university students, aged 18-25, Mage =19.46, SDag =1.50) located across four countries, namely China, Italy, Russia, and the USA, known to differ in the individualism index value (IDV), completed measures on the Horizontal and Vertical Individualism and Collectivism and Life Satisfaction. At the cultural level, an ANCOVA showed a significant country effects on LS. The post hoc comparisons indicated that the higher the country IDV score, the higher the average LS score, in the following order: Americans, Italians, Russians, and Chinese. At the individual level, LS was unrelated to HI and VI. Instead, it was associated with HC and VC. The positive link between LS and VC suggested an important role of family connectedness on LS across different cultures during emerging adulthood. However, contrary to previous studies, LS was unrelated to HI and VI.

Когнитивный компонент в структуре субъективного благополучия детей

The subjective well-being of children today attracts researchers around the world and remains less studied than the subjective well-being of adults. The article presents the study of subjective well-being of 1719 schoolchildren from Tyumen at the age of 10 and 12 years. The research is a part of the International Survey of Children’s Well-being (ISCWeB) — Children’s Worlds. Family, children, their protection, support and provision of subjective well-being are fundamental values that determine world politics. The aim of the study was to analyze the cognitive component of children’s subjective well-being, carried out using factor analysis. We assume that the cognitive component of subjective well-being arises with a holistic picture of the world, the current life situation in which the child is happy. To collect factual material a questionnaire was used, consisting of eight main spheres of children’s life, reflecting the components of subjective well-being: social, material, physical, religious, psychological. The questions and judgments included in the questionnaire, revealed the specifics of the child’s attitude to himself and the world around him. Cluster analysis in the plane of the identified patterns of subjective well-being (intrareflective, interreflective) made it possible to distribute children into groups. Children are happy if they can make choices, decide for themselves how to relate to life, society and themselves. “Conditionally happy” children are happy with what they have. They are the ones who are really happy in the offered life circumstances and know how to appreciate and enjoy what they have in life. “Conditionally unhappy” children think that they have everything, they give “socially acceptable” answers, but they are not happy. Social attitudes prevent the child from finding “balance” between the real, external and his own, internal world. Ideally, a child experiences subjective well-being when the intrareflective and interreflective components are in balance.

Existential Factors of Subjective Well-Being Among Student’s Youth

The article examines different approaches to the study of subjective well-being, with a focus on existential aspects, namely the role of existential content for the emotional and cognitive components of subjective well-being. The empirical study was performed on a sample of student youth. 64 students of Kharkiv National University by V.N. Karazin, aged 17 to 23 years old took part in our research. Tests that were used in this research: the test of existential motivations of A. Lengle and P. Edhard, the scale of subjective well-being Perrudel-Badoux, Mendelsohn, the scale of life satisfaction E. Diener. The nature of the correlations between the four existential motivations and existential fulfillment with the level of subjective well-being and life satisfaction is established, as well as the coefficients of regression of existential motivations at the level of subjective well-being and life satisfaction. In general, existential fulfilment is a precondition for ensuring a high level of subjective well-being and life satisfaction. Existential fullness has been shown to have a greater effect on the emotional component of subjective well-being than on cognitive satisfaction with life, with a tendency for fundamental motivations to affect different components of subjective well-being. The nature of the connections between the four existential motivations and existential fullness in general with the indicators of subjective well-being and life satisfaction has been established. There have been constructed regression models that describe the importance of fundamental motivations for subjective well-being and life satisfaction in the studied age group. It is determined that existential motivations, which reflect the fundamental trust in the world and the formed image of a meaningful future, have a significant influence on the formation of subjective well-being and life satisfaction in student’s youth.

Gender Differences in the Subjective Well-Being of Research and Teaching Staff

Subjective well-being is a new cognitive-affective indicator of socio-economic success of individuals that affects the effectiveness of their professional activities. The authors of the article investigate this phenomenon in the academic sphere, offering to analyze the gender specifics of the subjective well-being of research and teaching staff. The aim of the study is to compare the subjective well-being of research and teaching staff depending on gender, and to review theoretical approaches to research on subjective well-being. Based on the reflection of the previous stages of the study, the authors developed a methodological construct that includes an assessment of the subjective well-being of the academic staff of Russian universities through the analysis of affective and cognitive components. When developing research tools (online questionnaires), we used the emotional balance scale N. We also used questions from the European social survey (ESS) (measuring the overall perception of happiness and life values) and the VTSIOM monitoring study (self-assessment of financial situation). In the course of the study, the authors determined the specificity of subjective well-being on the basis of gender differences in the academic field that manifest the subjective assessment of affective (emotional balance of positive and negative emotions, subjective assessment of well-being in the context of the current period) and a cognitive component of subjective well-being: the value-rational component (assessment of their freedom, a sense of meaning in life, having goals and activities that define the meaning of life, etc.), goal-rational component (overall rating of quality of life, assessment of socio-economic and political institutions, satisfaction with the professional sphere). The assessment of subjective well-being of academic staff in Russian universities with regard to professional determinants (awareness of the value and purpose of professional activities, the status of the profession in society, the status of the institution, opportunity for professional development, self-development, academic freedom, relations, professional communication, work schedule, sabbaticals, precariatization (reporting, administrative burden).

Are emotionally intelligent people happier? A meta‐analysis of the relationship between emotional intelligence and subjective well‐being using Chinese samples

To assess an overall correlation between emotional intelligence (EI) and subjective well‐being (SWB) within Chinese culture, accounting for possible moderating factors, we conducted a meta‐analysis of 119 correlations obtained from 62 studies with a total sample size of 29,922. The results uncovered a moderately positive correlation, r = .32, 95% CI [0.29, 0.36], p < .001, between EI and SWB. The strength of the correlation was moderated by EI stream, SWB component, participant’s age, and participant’s employment status. Specifically, this association was stronger when EI was measured as self‐report mixed EI, r = .49, and self‐report ability EI, r = .32, than when it was measured as performance‐based ability EI, r = .08. In addition, EI was more strongly associated with the cognitive components of SWB, r = .32, than with the affective component of SWB, r = .29, and the EI–SWB association was stronger in adults, r = .33, than in adolescents, r = .25. Furthermore, EI was more closely related to SWB in working adults, r = .43, compared to students, r = .29, and EI was almost equally associated with SWB across males and females, β = −.08, p = .55. The results, as well as their theoretical and practical implications, are discussed in detail with reference to relevant cross‐cultural theories and comparative empirical findings.

The effect of employment on the subjective well-being of 60–80 years old people

PurposeThe current study investigates the association of employment at older age (60–80 years ) with the cognitive component of subjective well-being (SWB): life satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachOut of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), the present study’s sample included 58,197 observations of participants aged 60–80 years from 18 countries. The authors estimate the direct effects of employment and number of working hours on life satisfaction while considering the characteristics of the job and their impact.FindingsResults reveal that individuals who do not work enjoy a higher level of life satisfaction and so do those who work in developing jobs. Work under pressure reduces the level of SWB and working in physically demanding jobs has no significant impact on SWB. The results confirm previous findings regarding the positive contribution of self-employment to individuals’ SWB.Originality/valueThe results allow policy makers to implement policy measures that can improve older workers' SWB.

Financial Stress and Subjective Wellbeing among Children -Evidence from Finland

In this article we analyse how subjective wellbeing amongst Finnish children is associated with experiences of financial stress, that is, worries about money and one’s financial situation. We focus on both affective and cognitive components of subjective wellbeing in order to receive a broader understanding on children’s subjective wellbeing. We use Finnish data from the International survey of children’s lives conducted by the Children’s Worlds Project during the years 2013–2014. The results show that experienced financial stress is negatively and more strongly associated with cognitive subjective wellbeing than with affective subjective wellbeing, even when controlling for socioeconomic and other factors found to be influential for subjective wellbeing in previous research.

Demographic and Psychosocial Determinants of Life Satisfaction Among Youths in Nigeria: Evidence from the Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey

Subjective Wellbeing, implying an evaluation of one’s life has recently received intellectual attention, especially in developed countries. Measuring this concept entails both an effective and cognitive evaluation of life. Life satisfaction plays a vital role in positive life outcomes as a key part of the cognitive component of subjective wellbeing. Various factors could determine the current state of wellbeing on an individual. Leveraging on one of the surveys that collect data on subjective wellbeing in Nigeria, we examined the determinants of life satisfaction among youths in Nigeria, with a concentration on the demographic and psychosocial factors. Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data for Nigeria (n = 18,454) was analyzed using chi-square tests and binomial logistic regression in Stata 14. The result showed that gender, residence, and region significantly determined life satisfaction. For psychosocial factors influencing life satisfaction; health, family life satisfaction, friendship, treatment by others, and perceived improvement in comparison to last year, significantly determine life satisfaction. Specifically, male resident in rural areas of Nigeria were more likely to report satisfaction with life. Further, youths that reported satisfaction with family life were more likely to be satisfied with life in general, while satisfaction with health, friendships, treatment by others, and improved condition from last year influenced satisfaction with life. In conclusion, it has been shown that beyond the socio-demographic factors, psychosocial determinants play vital roles in determining life satisfaction among youths. It is therefore imperative that government agencies consider policies and interventions that address psychosocial support for youths in Nigeria.

Do relationships between subjective well-being scales change over time? Analysis of a longitudinal sample

This study employs the cross-lagged panel SEM technique to explore the evolution of scores yielded from several instruments over time and the relationship between these instruments in the same period. It departs from the consideration that different instruments for measuring subjective well-being (SWB) during late childhood and early adolescence may not produce identical results in different contexts, while their scores tend to decrease over time. It also aims to test whether relationships between different instruments are stable or some instruments have fluctuating effects on others over time. Changes in the results of four multi-item instruments that measure both affective (positive and negative) and cognitive components of SWB (context-free and domain-based) and one single-item instrument on Life Satisfaction are analysed. A 5-year longitudinal sample of children and adolescents aged 10 to 16 (N = 1696) was used. The results support the decreasing-with-age trend from late childhood onwards for all instruments. With very few exceptions, they also reveal that the mean scores for any of the five SWB measures analysed tend to moderately predict the following year’s scores only for the same measure. Predictive capacity becomes weaker the more years of difference considered, all effects becoming marginal after 4 years. This contradicts the assumptions that a genetic component remains stable and that the main predictor of LS at any time is LS in the past. At one year, such predictive capacity seems to increase with age for Positive Affect and for the domain-based measure, while it seems to decrease for the context-free measure and fluctuate for Negative Affect. However, the mean effect of a single-item LS measure on the following year’s scores for the same measure is clearly lower than that of the other measures, suggesting such instrument is not stable enough to adequately measure LS in children and adolescents. The results contribute new knowledge to our understanding of how facets of SWB evolve and the relationships between these instruments, and may help improve decision-making with regard to which measures should be employed.