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Subjective well-being in later life: Issues concerning measurement and prediction

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Abstract

This paper reviews the research on the measurement and prediction of subjective well-being in later life. Psychometric data on several gerontological scales are presented in detail. Structural analyses of a variety of measures of subjective well-being are discussed and evidence for a one factor structural solution to subjective well-being is presented. Objective predictors of subjective well-being are discussed with respect to the strength of their relationships to subjective well-being. It is concluded that subjective well-being is the best predictor of itself. Evidence of temporal stability and corss-situational consistency, combined with the evidence of a one factor structural solution, suggests that subjective well-being has trait-like characteristics. Suggestions for future research are presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gerontology Centre, Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada

    J. Kevin McNeil, M. J. Stones & Albert Kozma

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  1. J. Kevin McNeil
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  2. M. J. Stones
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  3. Albert Kozma
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Kevin McNeil, J., Stones, M.J. & Kozma, A. Subjective well-being in later life: Issues concerning measurement and prediction. Soc Indic Res 18, 35–70 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00302532

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