Subjective Well-Being

Subjective Well-Being is a reflection of individuals’ satisfaction with their lives, their emotional experiences, and their overall psychological well-being. This concept is shaped based on individuals’ perceptions of their own lives and their evaluation of positive and negative emotions. In contemporary psychology, subjective well-being is recognized as a central component of the positive psychology movement and lies at the heart of numerous academic studies examining happiness and life satisfaction. Life satisfaction, the balance between positive and negative emotions, constitute its core components. Subjective well-being is a personal measure that varies according to individuals’ internal evaluations and environmental factors.

Components of Subjective Well-Being

Subjective well-being is a concept grounded in an individual’s general sense of satisfaction and perception of their life. Developed by Ed Diener, this concept typically consists of three main components:

Life Satisfaction

This refers to how individuals evaluate their lives overall and the level of satisfaction they feel about it. Life satisfaction is commonly associated with the alignment between individuals’ expectations and their current life circumstances. This evaluation is a cognitive process and is typically measured using self-report questionnaires.

Positive Affect

This denotes the intensity of positive emotions such as joy, happiness, and peace experienced by individuals in their lives. Frequent experience of positive affect is associated with high subjective well-being. This component reflects individuals’ emotional balance and psychological wellness.

Negative Affect

This refers to the intensity of negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, and sadness experienced by individuals in their lives. The frequency and intensity of negative affect are linked to low subjective well-being. High levels of negative affect can negatively impact an individual’s quality of life.

Measuring Subjective Well-Being

Subjective well-being is typically measured using self-report scales based on individuals’ self-perceptions. The most widely used scales include:

Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)

This scale assesses how satisfied individuals are with their lives overall. Respondents evaluate various aspects of their lives through a series of questions.

Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)

This scale separately measures positive and negative emotions and assesses individuals’ momentary emotional states. PANAS is a widely used tool for evaluating the emotional dimension of subjective well-being.

Theoretical Foundations

Subjective well-being has been examined from various perspectives by different psychologists. Its theoretical foundations are primarily based on the work of three key figures:

Ed Diener

Diener defines subjective well-being in terms of individuals’ overall life satisfaction. According to his model, subjective well-being is a function of life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect.

Daniel Kahneman

Kahneman associates subjective well-being more closely with individuals’ momentary emotional experiences. Through his work in hedonic psychology, he views subjective well-being as the sum of individuals’ moment-to-moment lived experiences.

Carol Ryff

Ryff links subjective well-being not only to emotional satisfaction but also to psychological resilience, personal growth, and awareness of life purpose. According to her model, subjective well-being encompasses a deep sense of awareness and meaning across all aspects of an individual’s life journey.

Criticisms and Current Research

The measurement and evaluation of subjective well-being have faced certain criticisms. One critique argues that because subjective well-being relies solely on individuals’ personal assessments, it may be biased with respect to cultural and social differences. Cultural norms and societal expectations can influence how individuals evaluate their life satisfaction.

Additionally, it is emphasized that positive emotions are not always beneficial and that negative emotions can play an important role in human development. For instance, negative emotions such as stress and anxiety, while challenging, can serve as significant motivators for growth and psychological resilience.

Currently, more research is being conducted on the biological foundations and social influences of subjective well-being. In particular, neuroscientific studies are examining the neural underpinnings of subjective well-being and how they affect individuals’ psychological states.