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The Determinants of Subjective Well-Being of Young Adults in Europe

Author

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  • Antonella D’Agostino

    (University of Naples Parthenope)

  • Gaetano Grilli

    (CEFAS, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science)

  • Andrea Regoli

    (University of Naples Parthenope)

Abstract

Subjective well-being (SWB) is a desirable goal for the society as a whole and in particular for young adults (i.e., those aged 18–34) who are a crucial segment of a population. Their importance emerges not only as citizens of contemporary society, but also as citizens of the future society both as participants in democracies and as constituents of the economic labour force. At the same time, young adults are a very vulnerable group that has been particularly affected by the economic downturn. Therefore, young adults’ well-being is increasingly drawing the attention of European policymakers. This paper explores the determinants of SWB of young adults in Europe and examines especially the impact of institutional trust on the overall life satisfaction. Structural equation modelling was used to test main research hypotheses concerning the presence of a positive relation between level of trust and overall life satisfaction once psychological traits, evaluative indicators of specific aspects of life and the other individual characteristics are controlled for. Findings reveal interesting cross-country differences, providing useful policy implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonella D’Agostino & Gaetano Grilli & Andrea Regoli, 2019. "The Determinants of Subjective Well-Being of Young Adults in Europe," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(1), pages 85-112, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:14:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11482-017-9582-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-017-9582-z
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    3. Yavuz Alkan, 2023. "Assessment of sustainable green campus in terms of students with disabilities and landscaping: Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(10), pages 11367-11395, October.
    4. Johan Graafland, 2023. "On Rule of Law, Civic Virtues, Trust, and Happiness," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(4), pages 1799-1824, August.
    5. Yunxiang Chen, 2025. "Gendered Effects of Confucian Effortful and Taoist Effortless Actions on Well-Being Trajectories: A Longitudinal Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 1-20, February.
    6. Ilaria Benedetti & Gianni Betti & Federico Crescenzi, 2020. "Measuring Child Poverty and Its Uncertainty: A Case Study of 33 European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-12, October.
    7. Susanti Susanti & Adi Cilik Pierewan & Kismiantini Kismiantini & Sofjan Aripin, 2022. "What Makes Indonesians Satisfied With Their Health? A Multilevel Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, September.
    8. María Navarro, 2023. "Social-Cultural Capital and Domain Satisfaction," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 246(3), pages 37-70, September.
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