Age and subjective well-being revisited: a discrepancy perspective.
The hypothesis that the age effect on subjective well-being was entirely mediated by goal discrepancies (GDs) was tested with structural equation modeling. Six GDs grouped into 3 broad categories (relationships, health, and others) were differentially related to age. Whereas GD relationships and GD others (e.g., materials) decreased with age, GD health increased with age. GD health had smaller effects on subjective well-being than GDs in relationships and other life domains. Hence, the net effect of all the GDs on well-being was positive. GD variations because of age could completely explain the age trends in life satisfaction and positive affect, and partially the age trend in negative affect.
Cheng
Sheung-Tak
ST
Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. tak.cheng@cityu.edu.hk
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001240:Aspirations, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D013223:Statistics as Topic