Relative Subjective Well-being Research Articles

Competing Models of the Structure of Subjective Well-Being: Have All Won and Must All Have Prizes?

The tripartite model of subjective well-being (SWB) posits three components: positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction. The fundamental issue regarding the structure of SWB and the meaning of the general SWB factor remains unresolved. Across three studies and six samples (total N = 9304), we evaluated competing models of SWB and tested the criterion-related validity of SWB components operationalized within different models. In addition to a standard confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and bifactor-CFA, we used exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and bifactor-ESEM approaches. Latent factor models were applied to examine the nomological network of SWB in relation to several external criteria (e.g., positive expectations, depression, and anxiety). We found evidence supporting the three-factor and bifactor-ESEM models of SWB. The meaning and interpretability of the general and specific factors of SWB were found to depend on the indicators used to assess affective well-being. Several issues concerning the bifactor-CFA model were identified. Both the general and specific factors of SWB exhibited meaningful and interpretable nomological networks. The structure of SWB, the value of incorporating a general factor, and the nature of general and specific SWB factors depend on the instruments used to measure SWB.

Predictors of Life Satisfaction: A Nationwide Investigation in Iran

Iran is a developing country with low levels of economic development and globalization and is ruled by a theocratic government. To address the lack of national research on well-being in Iran, this retrospective observational study aims to examine life satisfaction and its main determinants among Iranian adults. Using World Gallup Poll data collected between 2006 and 2017, we examined life satisfaction as a cognitive aspect of subjective well-being in relation to various factors. Our results show that income is the strongest predictor of life satisfaction, followed by standard of living, gender, social support, age, negative affect, and education. In developing countries such as Iran, which face significant economic, political, and social challenges, individuals prioritize the satisfaction of basic needs by emphasizing factors such as the socioeconomic status. In contrast, developed countries with established welfare systems may emphasize other values such as social connections and healthy lifestyle behaviors as key factors in life satisfaction. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the determinants of life satisfaction in Iran and provides insights for future research and policy making.

Psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in Brazilian Para athletes

The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is an instrument that assesses subjective well-being in relation to life that was originally proposed in the English language. To analyze the psychometric properties do the SWLS for use with Para athletes. A convenience sample of 309 Brazilian Paralympic athletes (age: 33.08 ± 9.85 years) of both sexes was chosen. We conducted an online survey, and participants completed an anamnesis and SWLS questionnaires using the Qualtrics® software. To analyze confirmatory, the comparison fit index (CFI), the Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) and the standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) were used. Reliability was estimated by the ordinal alpha and omega coefficients. A multigroup analysis estimates a factor invariance. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported a single factor structure for the SWLS, with an acceptable fit. Cronbach’s α (0.88) and McDonald’s Omega (0.88) were indicative of internal consistency. Factorial invariance across gender, impairment, sports, and competition level was confirmed. The Brazilian version of the SWLS for Para athletes showed satisfactory psychometric properties and can be used to measure life satisfaction in the Paralympic context. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is an instrument that assesses subjective well-being in relation to life that was originally proposed in the English language. To analyze the psychometric properties do the SWLS for use with Para athletes. A convenience sample of 309 Brazilian Paralympic athletes (age: 33.08 ± 9.85 years) of both sexes was chosen. We conducted an online survey, and participants completed an anamnesis and SWLS questionnaires using the Qualtrics® software. To analyze confirmatory, the comparison fit index (CFI), the Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) and the standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) were used. Reliability was estimated by the ordinal alpha and omega coefficients. A multigroup analysis estimates a factor invariance. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported a single factor structure for the SWLS, with an acceptable fit. Cronbach’s α (0.88) and McDonald’s Omega (0.88) were indicative of internal consistency. Factorial invariance across gender, impairment, sports, and competition level was confirmed. The Brazilian version of the SWLS for Para athletes showed satisfactory psychometric properties and can be used to measure life satisfaction in the Paralympic context. O objetivo principal do presente estudo foi avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) para paratletas brasileiros, bem como sua estrutura fatorial, confiabilidade e invariância. 309 paratletas (idade: 33,08 ± 9,85 anos), recrutados por conveniência, de ambos os sexos, foram avaliados, de forma online, por meio de um questionário sociodemográfico e da versão SWLS de Gouveia et al. (2009). Foi utilizada a análise fatorial confirmatória para avaliar a estrutura unidimensional da escala usando o método de extração Robust Diagonally Weighted Least Squares (RDWLS). O modelo unidimensional SWLS apresentou um bom ajuste dos dados (χ2 = 1.906 / df = 5; p = 0.86; CFI = 1.000; SRMR = 0.019; RMSEA = 0.000 [90% IC : 0.000 – 0.042] e consistência interna adequada Ômega do McDonald's (0,88) e boa confiabilidade composta (0,88) . Além disso, a invariância fatorial entre gênero, deficiência, esportes e nível de competição foi confirmada. A versão brasileira da SWLS em atletas paralímpicos apresentou propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias e pode ser utilizada para mensurar a satisfação com a vida no contexto paralímpico.

Physical performance and compensation strategies of older adults to maintain physical fitness and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

IntroductionDuring the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, worldwide restrictions in social life, including the closure of sport facilities, led to a reduction of physical activity and subjective well-being. The aim of this study is to describe physical training habits, and subjective well-being in relation to objective training data from a chip-controlled fitness circuit in the rural area of Oldenburg, Germany.Materials and methodsOverall, 35 older adults (20 women 71 ± 6 y/o and 15 men, 72 ± 7 y/o), regularly exercising in a chip-controlled fitness circuit before the lockdown in March 2020, were interviewed. The training data from February to August 2020 from six strength and two endurance exercise devices were extracted and compared to data before and up to three months after the lockdown. Additionally, participants’ personal characteristics, physical activities and quality of life before, during, and after the first lockdown were assessed.ResultsThe leg score (pre, postJune, postJuly, postAugust: 1207 ± 469 kg, 1248 ± 477 kg, 1254 ± 516 kg, 1283 ± 493 kg; p = 0.137) and endurance scores (ergometer: 0.93 ± 0.35 min− 1 · watt− 1, 0.86 ± 0.31 min− 1 · watt− 1, 0.86 ± 0.31 min− 1 · watt− 1, 0.85 ± 0.28 min− 1 · watt− 1 ; p = 0.442) were not significantly different, in contrast to the rowing score (1426 ± 582 kg, 1558 ± 704 kg, 1630 ± 757 kg, 1680 ± 837 kg; p < 0.001). A significant increase of total energy expenditure (p = 0.026), mainly through gardening, walking, and bike riding was observed. The greatest personal limitation reported, was the loss of social contacts.ConclusionThe presented data did not show a decrease in training performance, but a slight trend towards an increase. A compensatory increase in regular outdoor activities seems to have a protective effect against a loss of training performance and may have the potential to stabilize subjective well-being during lockdown periods.

Association Between Commuting Time and Subjective Well-Being in Relation to Regional Differences in Korea.

Long commuting times have a negative impact on mental health. However, few studies have explored the relationship between commuting time and well-being based on urbanization by region. Our study examines this relationship as well as the effect of regional differences on Korean workers. We used data from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey. Commuting time and occupational factors were assessed using a questionnaire, and subjective well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index. Regions were divided into the cities and the provinces based on Korea's administrative divisions. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between commuting time and well-being. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for well-being were estimated, using participants commuting time of < 20 minutes as a reference group. The total number of workers was 29,458 (13,855 men, 15,603 women). We found higher aORs for low well-being among workers with long commuting times (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.11-1.36 and aOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.16-1.42 for 60-79 and ≥ 80 minutes, respectively). When stratified by sex and region, higher aORs for low well-being were found only in the workers who lived in cities. Long commuting time was negatively associated with well-being in Korean wage workers living in the cities. Policies for reducing commuting time should be discussed to address the mental health of workers, especially those living in metropolitan cities.

Schoolchildren’s Experience of Engaging in A Lust for Life Schools Programme

ABSTRACT During childhood and adolescence, it is crucial for individuals to develop appropriate emotional literacy, coping, and social skills. Programmes targeting youth well-being are increasingly being implemented in schools around the world. This study aims to describe the opinions of schoolchildren with low levels of subjective well-being in relation to A Lust for Life Schools Programme, a universal well-being and resilience programme for primary school students in Ireland. The study also aims to illustrate participants’ descriptions of emotions, coping skills, relationships, and well-being-related concepts, both before and after engaging in the programme through pre- and post-programme interviews. The journey of 20 primary school students (ages 10–13) who engaged in A Lust for Life Schools Programme was captured through semi-structured interviews conducted at three timepoints; pre-programme (n = 20), immediately post-programme (n = 8), and 12–16 weeks post-programme (n = 12). Thematic analysis was conducted on the interview data. Five primary themes were constructed: 1) programme feedback, 2) understanding feelings, 3) coping skills, 4) connection, and 5) illustrations of change. Findings suggest that A Lust for Life Schools Programme is an enjoyable and beneficial way for schoolchildren with low levels of subjective well-being to learn emotional literacy and coping skills in a social, interactive way.

A study of subjective wellbeing in relation to emotional intelligence and locus of control among officers of Haryana Police

A study was conducted on 967 police personnel of Haryana Police at Faridabad where three questionnaires were answered by them pertaining to Subjective Well-Being, Emotional Intelligence and Locus of Control.The results indicated that there was a significant correlation between Wellbeing and Emotional Intelligence, r = .729, p &lt; .01, there was a significant correlation between Wellbeing and Internal Locus of Control, r = .299, p &lt; .01 and there was a significant correlation between Wellbeing and External Locus of Control, r = .288, p &lt; .01. With respect to the demographic of age, there is a non significant correlation between Age and Wellbeing of r = -0.44 (p = n.s.), there is a non significant correlation between Age and Emotional Intelligence of r = .030 (p = .360), there is a non significant correlation between Age and Internal Locus of Control of r = -.029 (p = n.s.) and there is a non significant correlation between Age and External Locus of Control of r = -.009 (p = n.s.). On Gender, no significant difference was found across variables.Across types of schooling, both Emotional Intelligence and Well-Being were found to be significant higher in Urban schooling as compared to Rural schooling.

Speech language therapists’ experiences with subjective well‐being in people with aphasia

Subjective well-being (SWB) and quality of life (QOL) are intricately related constructs. Recent research shows both constructs share some facets, but are distinct entities. It is unclear, both internationally and in the Netherlands, if and how SLTs address SWB in clinical practice. The current study was set up to explore Dutch SLTs' perceptions of SWB in relation to the management of people with aphasia. To describe how Dutch SLTs, working with people with aphasia in a private practice or a healthcare setting, address patient's SWB during diagnosis and treatment, and to identify barriers and facilitators they experience when addressing SWB. A qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach was used. SLTs from private practices and healthcare settings were invited to participate in individual interviews and a focus group. The data were analysed thematically using a combination of inductive and deductive methods. Eight SLTs participated in the study. The SLTs' experiences were captured in four themes that emerged from the data: (1) SWB is a multifaceted concept and depends on patient-specific factors: premorbid factors, life priorities and time post-stroke; (2) SLTs experience more responsibility for patients' SWB than their profession allows; (3) collaboration between SLTs and patients, patients' network and other healthcare professionals is required to address SWB during diagnosis and treatment; and (4) misinterpretations are inevitable when SLTs or the patients' network address patients' SWB. The results showed that SLTs feel responsible for addressing SWB in the management of people with aphasia. Their perception of the concept of SWB is similar to the definition used in the literature and is multifaceted. They feel responsible for the part of SWB that is related to communicative functioning, but less so for the more heuristic aspects of SWB. This is related to their experienced limitation of influence on SWB, which for some leaves them feeling out of depth and uncertain about boundaries between professionals. Addressing SWB in a multidisciplinary team is therefore considered important in order to adequately and fully capture someone's SWB and reduce to clinicians' experienced burden and responsibility. What this paper adds What is already known on this subject Recent studies suggest that quality of life measures may lack facets related to subjective well-being (SWB). Aphasia is likely to impact on SWB of a stroke survivor, but it is unclear if and how SWB is addressed by speech and language therapists in diagnosis, and treatment of Dutch PWA. What this study adds This study provides insight into the operationalization of SWB in Dutch clinical practice, including barriers SLTs experience when addressing SWB. Clinical implications of this study Monitoring and influencing SWB of people with aphasia is a complex process, that SLTs consider only possible in multi-disciplinary teams. Clear guidelines on roles and responsibilities between various disciplines involved are necessary to improve care for people with aphasia.

Субъективное благополучие разновозрастного женского персонала инновационных компаний

The results of an empirical study of subjective well-being as an emotional regulator of labor behavior of female personnel in the conditions of technological patterns changes have been presented. The characteristics of the subjective well-being of female personnel of industrial and medical companies with different levels of involvement in innovative processes have been analyzed. 420 women (engineers and doctors) of three age groups have participated in the study as respondents. Subjective well-being was analyzed through the indicators of value commitment to innovative changes, exposure to stress, fatigue from work and organizational conditions, health and age self-assessment, psychological well-being at work. The K. Cameron and R. Quinn (OCAI), stress scale R. Kessler, author’s self-assessment questionnaire and subjective well-being methods combining questions with direct scaling have been used for diagnosis of organizational culture and value of organizational and cultural preferences. It has been revealed that the subjective well-being of female staff is higher in all respects in organizational conditions of innovative companies regardless of business sphere, but in the industrial sector it is better than in the medical one. Organizational conditions are very important in the process of development of subjective well-being in relation to different professions and age. The role of stress related to changes that generates subjective disfunction and, as a result, female staff seeking psychological support and solidarity in enhancing the value of relationships in organizational culture to an absolute priority to the detriment of business and innovative components has been discovered. Subjective well-being restrains the strengthening of the value of relationships and determines the necessary balance of other components of organizational culture. Subjectively wealthy female staff shows inconsistency with the stereotypical characteristics of conservatism and unpreparedness for progressive organizational changes that cause difficulties for women in the labor market in the face of a shift of technological structure. Insufficient value readiness of young female staff to work in an innovative business has been revealed, some of the nuances of the subjective age well-being / trouble have been disclosed. Approaches to the management of subjective well-being of female staff in the context of innovative organizational changes have been developed.

Assessing the burden of nocturia in the workplace: the associations between nocturnal voiding, subjective well-being, work engagement and productivity

Aims: Nocturia (getting up at night to urinate, where each urination being followed by sleep or intention to sleep) is a bothersome symptom with potentially negative consequences for individual health and daytime functioning. This study assessed the burden of nocturia in the workplace by investigating associations between nocturia and subjective well-being (SWB), work engagement and productivity.Methods: Using large-scale international workplace survey data, the associations between nocturia, SWB, work engagement (Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, UWES-9) and productivity (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment, WPAI) were assessed. Bivariate and multivariate regression analysis was used with adjustment for a large set of confounding factors, including sleep duration and sleep quality.Results: Across a study sample of 92,129 observations, aged 18–70, an average of 10% of the survey population reported ≥2 nocturnal voids (generally considered clinically significant nocturia), with prevalence of nocturia increasing with age. Individuals with nocturia reported a 35.7% (p < .001) higher relative sleep disturbance score and were 10.5 percentage points (pp) (p < .001) more likely to report short sleep. Adjusted for covariates, nocturia was associated with a 3.5% (p < .001) lower relative SWB score and a 2% (p < .001) lower relative UWES-9 work engagement score. Nocturia was associated with a 3.9 pp (p < .001) higher work impairment due to absenteeism and presenteeism (WPAI). Adjusting additionally for sleep disturbance and sleep duration reduced the magnitude of the estimated effects, suggesting a key role for poor sleep in explaining the relationship between nocturia and the outcomes (SWB, UWES-9, WPAI) assessed.Conclusions: A key contribution of this study is the assessment of the association between nocturia and a range of work performance outcomes in a sizeable study using validated instruments to measure work engagement and productivity. The study highlights the importance of taking sleep into account when assessing the relationship between nocturia and associated outcomes.

Positive and negative well-being of older adults with symptomatic peripheral artery disease: A population-based investigation.

We investigated positive and negative subjective well-being in relation to lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) in a sample of older adults. 4760 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) provided baseline data on symptomatic PAD, sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle risk factors, and co-morbid conditions. Baseline and two-year follow-up data were available for life satisfaction, quality of life, and depressive symptoms. Participants with PAD symptoms had lower baseline levels of life satisfaction (β = -0.03, p < .05) and quality of life (β = -0.04, p < .01), and more depressive symptoms (β = 0.03, p < .05). These associations remained statistically significant in multivariate analyses. Baseline PAD did not, however, influence well-being levels at two-year follow-up. Greater awareness of the potential for chronic vascular morbidity to disrupt the lives of older adults is needed to inform effective multidisciplinary support and interventions that help maintain the quality of life of those affected.

Children's subjective well-being in relation to gender — What can we learn from dissatisfied children?

Gender differences in subjective well-being (SWB) are a common finding in studies of children, but the nature, causes and effects of these differences remain unclear. This article draws on data from the Children's Worlds study, an international survey of child well-being across countries, to examine the structure of SWB drawing on different life domains, and comparing the effects of these domains on SWB for boys and girls. Structural equation modelling is used to examine differences between 12year old boys and girls who reported low subjective well-being (bottom 25% of the sample). Findings reveal that the structure of SWB is comparable across the genders; girls' SWB was lower than boys'; and different domains of SWB vary in their importance for boys and girls. Specifically, girls' SWB appears to be more driven by relational factors, whilst boys' SWB is more driven by perceived academic achievement.

Health-related quality of life in patients with indolent and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma

AbstractIndolent and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are common types of hematologic malignancies but their effect on quality of life (QoL) is understudied. In particular, the relation between different aspects of QoL and cognitive impairments and coping styles is relevant for individualized physical and mental health care. We studied emotional, physical, and subjective well-being in relation to cognitive capacities and coping style in 100 patients with NHL (44 females, age 61.3 ± 13.6). Questionnaires assessed health-related QoL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)), affect (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Positive and Negative Affective Schedule), distress (Distress Thermometer), and locus of control; semi-structured interviews targeted subjective QoL (Schedule for Evaluating the Individual Quality of Life) and cognitive impairments (Test for Early Detection of Dementia with Differentiation from Depression). Indolent NHL (n = 44) yielded better health-related QOL and positive af...

An Empirical Investigation of the Relationship Between Social Capital and Subjective Well-Being in Ghana

This paper uses data from the 2012 Afrobarometer Surveys to empirically investigate the relationship between social capital and subjective well-being (SWB) in Ghana. Two measures of SWB are examined—absolute SWB and relative SWB. Results from OLS and ordered logit regressions are mixed. For instance, while generalized trust has no significant effect on either measure of SWB, interpersonal trust and institutional trust are significantly correlated with both measures. The results also suggest that being satisfied with the way democracy works in Ghana has a positive effect on SWB. Even though membership in a voluntary association is negatively correlated with absolute SWB, it has a positive effect on relative SWB. Finally, members of a religious association tend to report lower relative SWB.

Exploring the stress-buffering effects of religiousness in relation to social and economic change: Evidence from Poland.

Religiousness has been found to act as a protective factor against the adverse effects of stressors originating from a variety of sources. Despite ample precedent in sociological theories of religion, however, the potential stress-buffering role of religiousness in relation to stressors arising from macrolevel societal trends has not received empirical scrutiny. Recent psychological conceptualizations of social and economic change (SEC) suggest that such change manifests itself in people’s lives in the form of perceived demands that act as individual-level stressors and impinge on subjective well-being (SWB). Building on this line of research, we examined whether religious attendance and subjective religiosity buffered the negative association between perceived work-related demands of SEC and depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and work satisfaction in a sample of 1,581 Polish adolescents and adults aged 16 to 46 years. Analyses revealed that both dimensions of religiousness were positively related to SWB and buffered the impact of work-related demands on depressive symptoms. Contrariwise, no buffering effect of religiousness on either life or work satisfaction was found. Taken together, results partly confirm religiousness as a protective factor for SWB in relation to SEC but underscore the importance of taking the multifaceted nature of the construct into account in evaluating the interplay of stressors and religiousness.

Impact of Work on the Well-Being of Police Officers and Firefighters

Work is one of the most important spheres of human functioning and has a significant impact on individual overall well-being. The purpose of this study is to assess the positive and negative impact of the work of police officers and firefighters on their well-being in different spheres of life. In particular, the study examines the relationship between the type of occupation and the elements that generate a feeling of well-being, issues relating to a positive influence of work on different spheres of life, as well as the relationship between the length of service and the influence of work on health. A hedonistic model of the quality of life has been assumed. The study encompassed 499 Polish officers serving in operational positions, including 195 police officers and 304 firefighters. For cognitive applications, a modified scale of satisfaction with various aspects of life, and a calculated potential positivity rate for work in the field of life, were used for the assessment of subjective well-being in relation to work. The results showed that the impact of work on well-being in the social, economic, and health spheres, and in relation to self-esteem, was determined by the nature of that work. Compared to police officers, firefighters were more positive in their assessment of the impact of work on their private life and overall well-being. Among the police officers, work was considered to have a negative impact on health, leisure and economic well-being. The results obtained from the group of firefighters are explained in accordance with the top - down model, and those from the group of police officers on the lines of the bottom - up model, in Czapinski's onion theory of happiness. Practical implications for health and leisure are discussed.

Subjective Well-Being in Relation to Altruism and Forgiveness Among School Going Adolescents

<b> </b>In the study of subjective well being in relation to forgiveness and altruism among 100 school going adolescents (50 male and 50 female), the following tools and techniques were used to measure different variables: Subjective Well-being Inventory by Nagpal and Sell (1985) was used to measure Subjective Wellbeing, THE HELPING ATTITUDE SCALE by Nickell (1998) was used to measure Altruism and the heartland forgiveness scale by Thompson et. al.(2005) was used to measure Forgiveness. On the basis of multiple regression it has been known that the predictive value of Forgiveness (Self, Others, Situation) is questionable or the measure of Forgiveness (Self, Others, Situation) does not enhance the prediction of subjective well-being whereas, Altruism does enhance the prediction of subjective well-being. The present study is carried out to explore the effect on subjective well-being of adolescents in the light of their measures of altruism and forgiveness. Moreover, attempt is also made to see the effect in context of gender differences.

Religion and Subjective Well-Being in Ghana

Using 2008 Afrobarometer survey data, we examine the relationship between religion and subjective well-being (SWB) in Ghana, as well as religious group differences in their experiences of SWB. Two measures of religion—religious affiliation and religious importance, and two measures of SWB—absolute SWB (own perceived living conditions) and relative SWB (own living conditions compared to those of other Ghanaians) are employed in this study. Results show that religious affiliation is significantly related to both measures of SWB although associations depicted for such relationships were not strong. Religious importance significantly related to relative SWB only (with a weak-to-moderate association). Significant religious affiliation and religious importance group differences are found on both SWB outcomes via non-parametric test procedures (Kruskal–Wallis H test, followed by post hoc tests). On balance, the None/Traditional religious group experienced less favorable SWB than Other Christian, Evangelical/Pentecostal, and Muslim groups, especially for absolute SWB, while the None/Traditional group experienced particularly less favorable relative SWB than the Protestant group. Religious importance groups also significantly differed in such a way that the group that considered religion very important had more favorable experiences of both types of SWB than the group that considered religion not at all/not very important. Other significant differences on both outcomes are found among ethnic, educational, and regional groups. In view of the findings, the study contributes to SWB research and suggests policy implications.

Childhood Roots of Women's Subjective Well-Being

Abstract. The focus of the study is on the importance of early optimism for adult subjective well-being (SWB). Only females were studied. Data from age 13 and age 43 were taken from the Swedish longitudinal research program Individual Development and Adaptation (IDA, Magnusson, 1988 ). We investigated the longitudinal relationship between early optimism and optimism at age 43, its mediation via positive and negative affect measured at age 43, and finally the “effect” on global life satisfaction at age 43. For this purpose, structural equation methodology was used and the fit indices were compared among three extended cognitive-affective models, based on Chang's work ( Chang, 2002 ). The best fitting model suggests that early optimism influences optimism at middle age, which in its turn has both a direct influence on global life satisfaction and an indirect influence via the negative affect dimension. In further analyses we studied the importance of early optimism for adult SWB in relation to the importance of a number of other factors measured in adolescence. Optimism at age 13 was the only factor that was consistently related to women's SWB at age 43.