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Lay Theories for Life Satisfaction and the Belief that Life Gets Better and Better

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  • Michael A. Busseri

    (Brock University)

  • Mojan Naisani Samani

    (McMaster University)

Abstract

Many individuals believe that life gets better and better over time. To examine the sources and significance of such beliefs, we examined lay theories for life satisfaction (LS) in relation to individuals’ beliefs concerning how their LS was unfolding over time. Two studies were conducted with online participants: one correlational (Study 1; N = 320, M age = 30.39, 55% male), the other experimental (Study 2; N = 321, M age = 30.46, 53% male). In both studies more incremental (vs. entity) lay theories were associated with more steeply inclining subjective trajectories for LS. Furthermore, both sets of beliefs had unique effects on individuals’ goal-striving toward a brighter future life, as well as psychological adjustment (self-efficacy, hope, optimism, positive affect, negative affect). Thus, lay theories and subjective trajectories for LS share a common assumption concerning change in life satisfaction over time. And each set of beliefs plays a unique role in positive functioning.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael A. Busseri & Mojan Naisani Samani, 2019. "Lay Theories for Life Satisfaction and the Belief that Life Gets Better and Better," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(5), pages 1647-1672, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:5:d:10.1007_s10902-018-0016-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-0016-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ed Diener & Derrick Wirtz & William Tov & Chu Kim-Prieto & Dong-won Choi & Shigehiro Oishi & Robert Biswas-Diener, 2010. "New Well-being Measures: Short Scales to Assess Flourishing and Positive and Negative Feelings," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 97(2), pages 143-156, June.
    2. Andrew J. Howell & Holli-Anne Passmore & Mark D. Holder, 2016. "Implicit Theories of Well-Being Predict Well-Being and the Endorsement of Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(6), pages 2347-2363, December.
    3. Oettingen, Gabriele & Kappes, Heather Barry & Guttenberg, Katie B. & Gollwitzer, Peter M., 2015. "Self-regulation of time management: mental contrasting with implementation intentions," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 61631, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Cameron McIntosh, 2001. "Report on the Construct Validity of the Temporal Satisfaction With Life Scale," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 54(1), pages 37-56, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yanwen Ouyang & Xizheng Xu & Zirui Ouyang, 2023. "Confidence in the Future and Adolescent Problem Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-10, March.

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