Subjective Well-being

This chapter provides an overview of various aspects of subjective well-being. First, the definition, construct, and history of the science of subjective well-being are reviewed. Then multiple instruments and scales that have been developed to measure different constructs of subjective well-being, followed by a review of major correlates of subjective well-being: demographic, income and wealth, interpersonal relationships, individual differences in traits and personality. Next to be reviewed are predictors and moderators of hedonic adaptation, cultural differences in constructs and predictors of subjective well-being, consequences of increased subjective well-being, and various efforts that have been shown to increase subjective well-being. At the end of the chapter, key agenda for future research in this field are discussed.