Longitudinal causal analysis of subjective well-being and its major correlates : a modified top-down formulation

Abstract

Data from a four-year longitudinal study of 407 adults across the lifespan were used to examine the causal pathways between the higher-order subjective well-being construct and its primary lower-order correlates. Correlates included six life domain satisfactions, three personal dispositions, and two measures of general stress. -- A series of partial and multiple regression analyses were used to assess the presence and direction of causal linkages between variables in a "top-down" propensity model of subjective well-being. Results did not consistently support "bottom-up" or "top-down" effects. They did indicate modification of the proposed "top-down" formulation to include direct links from personal dispositions to life domain satisfactions. -- Given the lack of consistent findings in the literature and in the present data set, the possible existence of bidirectional links between subjective well-being and domain satisfactions was discussed.