The structure and predictors of subjective well-being among millennials in India

Abstract

This study analyzes whether the four components of subjective well-being—satisfaction with life, flourishing, positive affect, and negative affect—are independent, form a hierarchical structure, a composite structure, or a causal structure. It also examines the social and personality factors that predict subjective well-being among millennials in India. One thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine millennials, aged 16–27, attending technical educational institutions in India, participated. Four components assessed subjective well-being. Factual and subjective indicators of income, education, health, and relationships were measured. An inventory assessed Big-Five personality factors. The hierarchical structure, having interrelated components, formed subjective well-being better than other structures. The most important positive social predictor of the hierarchical structure of subjective well-being was satisfaction with personal relationships and the personality predictor was emotional stability. Activities which promote personal relationships and emotional stability can improve the subjective well-being among millennials.

Keywords

• millennials
• personality factors
• subjective well-being
• social factors
• structures