Model of subjective well-being- Diener (1984)

• Subjective well-being (SWB)


  A self-reported measure of well-being typically obtained by questionnaire
• Diener's tripartite model of SWB

  • Describes how people experience the quality of their lives and includes both affective components (positive emotions and negative emotions) and life satisfaction (cognitive) to determine subjective well-being
• Positive affect


  Experiencing positive emotions and moods on a frequent basis
• Negative affect


  Experiencing negative feelings or moods often
• Life satisfaction


  The overall equilibrium/balance between positive and negative affect, usually measured as the difference between the two
• High positive affect and low negative affect are often highly correlated, but not always
• These three factors (positive affect, negative affect, life satisfaction) control how people experience the quality of their lives
• High SWB


  Experiencing life satisfaction and frequent positive (e.g. joy, optimism) and infrequent negative affect (e.g. sadness, anger)
• Low SWB


  Being dissatisfied with life, experiencing little joy, and frequently feeling negative emotions such as anger and anxiety
• Affective balance


  The overall equilibrium between positive and negative affect
• Affect


  The experience and outward expression of emotions - the moods and emotions individuals experience that make up 'emotional' wellbeing
• People undergo both positive and negative affect and attempt to enhance their lives by reducing negative affect and increasing positive affect
• Hedonic balance


  A global judgement of happiness continually assessed by people comparing their negative affect with their positive affect