The relationship between areas of life satisfaction, personality, and overall life satisfaction: An integrated account

Abstract

A substantial amount of research has been conducted using a variety of methodological approaches to determine what influences life satisfaction. The bottom-up theory considers overall life satisfaction as a function of various areas of life satisfaction, whereas the top-down theory considers the areas of life satisfaction as a function of dispositional factors such as personality. We examined these models in a large-scale United Kingdom survey. Consistent with other studies, we found that both the bottom-up and top-down models of life satisfaction are supported in the United Kingdom by demonstrating that demographics, areas of life satsifaction, and personality traits can explain a significant portion of variances in overall areas of life satisfaction. We propose that future studies in life satisfaction research should consider the integrated account of life satisfaction rather than a unitary bottom-up or top-down perspective.

People with epilepsy have poor life satisfaction and self-rated health: Findings from the United Kingdom

“…Indeed, people with epilepsy face a lot of challenges in their daily life ( Leidy et al, 1999 ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005 ; Kobau et al, 2008 , 2012 ; Layne Moore et al, 2009 ; Trinka et al, 2019 ). Second, perceived limitations in social and emotional support can also lead to poor life satisfaction ( Kobau et al, 2008 ; Malvaso and Kang, 2022 ) and SRH. Third, neurological factors have adverse impacts on the quality of life in people with epilepsy ( Hermann and Jacoby, 2009 ) as well.…”

“…Moreover, people with epilepsy also face a lot of challenges in daily life including lower levels of education, reduced household income, unemployment, poor health, more disability, and more risky behaviors ( Leidy et al, 1999 ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005 ; Kobau et al, 2008 , 2012 ; Layne Moore et al, 2009 ; Trinka et al, 2019 ). People with epilepsy are also more likely to perceive limitations in social and emotional support, which along with dissatisfaction with other aspects of life can lead to a decrease in overall life satisfaction ( Kobau et al, 2008 ; Malvaso and Kang, 2022 ). Besides the above-mentioned psychological factors, neurological factors have adverse impacts on the quality of life in people with epilepsy ( Livneh et al, 2001 ; Hermann and Jacoby, 2009 ) as well.…”

The relationship between smoking frequency and life satisfaction: Mediator of self-rated health (SRH)

“…The strong positive link between SRH and life satisfaction is consistent with several previous studies across countries and age groups [e.g., ( 26 , 27 )]. Indeed, good health or subjective perceived good health certainly contributes to one's overall life satisfaction as health is one of the factors that make up overall life satisfaction ( 30 ). Thus, smoking directly affects SRH, which in turn results in decreased life satisfaction.…”

Personality Traits Predict Life Satisfaction in Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Patients

“…Measuring life satisfaction is regarded as an advantageous way of assessing overall well-being, given that life satisfaction represents “a cognitive and global evaluation of one’s life as a whole”, which is quite stable over time [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Moreover, life satisfaction is also determined by many factors, including genetic predisposition, personality traits [ 6 ], major life events, cultural background [ 7 ], and sociodemographic variables, such as age, sex, educational level, marital status, and income [ 6 , 8 ]. In addition, psychological well-being encompassing constructs such as life satisfaction has emerged as an important public health target [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”