What is the problem? A Taxonomy of Life Problems and their Relation to Subjective Well-Being in Middle and Late Adulthood

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Research on subjective well-being has focused mainly on positive values and goals. This article studies the structure and content of life problems from a theory of personal meaning as well as the relation of these problems to subjective well-being. Data from the German Aging Survey, a representative sample of German citizens (40-85 year; n=2844) were used. A content analysis of life problems was carried out as expressed on a sentence completion instrument which elicits descriptions of self and life. Although outweighed by positive sentence completions, a substantial part of the sentence completions had a negative tone. Problems in life could be reliably coded as cognitive, motivational, or affective problems on specific and global levels. They were found in a large number of life domains, such as self, health, social relations, and society at large. Specific and global problems in each of the three components showed independent and differentiated contributions to subjective well-being. These findings stress the relevance of studying life problems.

Meaning in life of older persons: An integrative literature review

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A Review of the Tripartite Structure of Subjective Well-Being: Implications for Conceptualization, Operationalization, Analysis, and Synthesis

“…Additional factor analytic evidence has accumulated over the past several decades in support of the separability of LS, PA, and NA (e.g., Adler & Fagley, 2005;Heller, Komar, & Lee, 2007;Lucas, 2008;Lynn & Steel, 2006;McCullough, Huebner, & Laughlin, 2000;Pavot, 2008;Sagiv & Schwartz, 2000;Sirgy et al, 2006;Suh, 2002;Watkins, Woodward, Stone, & Kolts, 2003;Westerhof & Keyes, 2006). According to Westerhof, Thissen, Dittman-Kohli, and Stevens (2006), therefore, SWB is a multidimensional construct in which LS, PA, and NA "are related but clearly separable dimensions" (p. 100).…”

Further Evaluation of the Tripartite Structure of Subjective Well‐Being: Evidence From Longitudinal and Experimental Studies

“…Support for this model stems from evidence that the components load onto separate factors (e.g., Balatsky & Diener, ; Emmons & Diener, ; Heller, Komar, & Lee, ; Lucas, ), and that PA and NA are separable aspects of affective experience (Ashby, Isen, & Turken, ; Bood, Archer, & Norlander, ; Bradburn, ; Storbeck & Clore, ). Accordingly, some researchers endorsing this structural model have concluded that LS, PA, and NA “are related but clearly separable dimensions” (Westerhof et al, , p. 100) of SWB.…”