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Subjective Well-Being and Life Satisfaction in the Kingdom of Tonga

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  • Sean Moore
  • Heather Leslie
  • Carrie Lavis

Abstract

This paper describes an initial attempt to assess the subjective well being of a sample of 227 Tongans via self-report. Using items adapted from the Subjective Well Being Inventory (SUBI; Nagpal and Sell, 1985; Sell and Nagpal, 1992), participants rated their level of overall life satisfaction along with their perceptions of well-beingin a number of other more specific life domains. Results indicated that mean ratings of global life satisfaction were generally positive. A factor analysis of the remaining domain-specific well-being items indicated that items loaded on to one of two factors dealing with overall positive or negative evaluations of these life areas. Importantly, these scale items stressed the importance of social and kin relations in contributing to overall well-being. In terms of demographic variables, mature respondents reported greater levels of overall life satisfaction and well-being as compared to youthful respondents. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. Copyright Springer 2005

Suggested Citation

  • Sean Moore & Heather Leslie & Carrie Lavis, 2005. "Subjective Well-Being and Life Satisfaction in the Kingdom of Tonga," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 70(3), pages 287-311, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:70:y:2005:i:3:p:287-311
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-004-1541-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alison Mallard & Charles Lance & Alex Michalos, 1997. "Culture as a Moderator of Overall Life Satisfaction – Life Facet Satisfaction Relationships," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 40(3), pages 259-284, May.
    2. Ed Diener & Eunkook Suh, 1997. "Measuring Quality Of Life: Economic, Social, And Subjective Indicators," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 40(1), pages 189-216, January.
    3. Ed Diener & Eunkook Suh & Heidi Smith & Liang Shao, 1995. "National differences in reported subjective well-being: Why do they occur?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 7-32, January.
    4. Alex Michalos, 1985. "Multiple discrepancies theory (MDT)," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 347-413, May.
    5. Robert Biswas-Diener & Ed Diener, 2001. "Making the Best of a Bad Situation: Satisfaction in the Slums of Calcutta," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 55(3), pages 329-352, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sezgin Irmak & Ayşe Kuruüzüm, 2009. "Turkish Validity Examination of the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 92(1), pages 13-23, May.
    2. United Nations Population Fund UNFPA, 2013. "Building a Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India: Report on the Status of Elderly in Select States of India, 2011," Working Papers id:5209, eSocialSciences.

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