IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jhappi/v21y2020i3d10.1007_s10902-019-00106-w.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Emerging Adults Versus Middle-Aged Adults: Do they Differ in Psychological Needs, Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction

Author

Listed:
  • A. Butkovic

    (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)

  • J. Tomas

    (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)

  • A. M. Spanic

    (Child Protection Center of Zagreb)

  • T. Vukasovic Hlupic

    (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)

  • D. Bratko

    (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)

Abstract

Exploring determinants of human happiness has been increasingly prevalent in studies over the last few decades. Aim of this study was primarily to explore age differences in life satisfaction in Croatian adults ranging in age from early 20s to 40s. Additionally, we aimed to predict life satisfaction based on gender, basic psychological needs satisfaction, and self-esteem. Data was collected on 393 participants (54.6% female, Mage = 31.23) from two planned subsamples, emerging adults (N = 206, 53.2% female, Mage = 23.29) and middle-aged adults (N = 187, 56.1% female, Mage = 39.97). Participants completed Basic Psychological Needs Scale, Self-esteem scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Significant latent means differences were found for autonomy and relatedness, with middle-aged adults scoring 0.27 and 0.26 units lower than emerging adults. As for life satisfaction prediction, results showed that women, people with higher self-esteem, and people with higher psychological need satisfaction had higher life satisfaction. Findings also suggested that psychological need satisfaction and self-esteem are equally important predictors of life satisfaction at different stages of life. These results suggest that increasing the satisfaction of basic psychological needs and self-esteem could serve as a possible intervention path to desirable changes in person’s life satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • A. Butkovic & J. Tomas & A. M. Spanic & T. Vukasovic Hlupic & D. Bratko, 2020. "Emerging Adults Versus Middle-Aged Adults: Do they Differ in Psychological Needs, Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 779-798, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00106-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00106-w
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10902-019-00106-w
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10902-019-00106-w?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Blanchflower, David G. & Oswald, Andrew J., 2008. "Is well-being U-shaped over the life cycle?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(8), pages 1733-1749, April.
    2. Ruut Veenhoven, 1996. "Developments in satisfaction-research," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 37(1), pages 1-46, January.
    3. Ana Butkovic & Irma Brkovic & Denis Bratko, 2012. "Predicting Well-Being From Personality in Adolescents and Older Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 455-467, June.
    4. Lili Tian & Huan Chen & E. Huebner, 2014. "The Longitudinal Relationships Between Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction at School and School-Related Subjective Well-Being in Adolescents," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 119(1), pages 353-372, October.
    5. Jacqueline Zweig, 2015. "Are Women Happier than Men? Evidence from the Gallup World Poll," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 515-541, April.
    6. Sonja Lyubomirsky & Chris Tkach & M. DiMatteo, 2006. "What are the Differences between Happiness and Self-Esteem," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 78(3), pages 363-404, September.
    7. Joseph Henrich & Steve J. Heine & Ara Norenzayan, 2010. "The Weirdest People in the World?," RatSWD Working Papers 139, German Data Forum (RatSWD).
    8. Kennon Sheldon & Tan Hoon, 2007. "The multiple determination of well-being: Independent effects of positive traits, needs, goals, selves, social supports, and cultural contexts," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 8(4), pages 565-592, December.
    9. Corey S. Mackenzie & Eric C. Karaoylas & Katherine B. Starzyk, 2018. "Lifespan Differences in a Self Determination Theory Model of Eudaimonia: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Younger, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(8), pages 2465-2487, December.
    10. Brendan Baird & Richard Lucas & M. Donnellan, 2010. "Life Satisfaction Across the Lifespan: Findings from Two Nationally Representative Panel Studies," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 99(2), pages 183-203, November.
    11. Jacolyn Norrish & Dianne Vella-Brodrick, 2008. "Is the Study of Happiness a Worthy Scientific Pursuit?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 87(3), pages 393-407, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mateusz Rozmiarek & Joanna Poczta & Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko, 2021. "Motivations of Sports Volunteers at the 2023 European Games in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, June.
    2. Ann DeSmet & Catherine Culot & Devintha Virani & S. Pabian & Eva Ariño Mateo & Kathleen Van Royen & Anke Oenema & Margaux Liebmann, 2024. "A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Effectiveness of Dietary Interventions to Enhance Mental Wellbeing in Emerging Adulthood," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(6), pages 1-37, August.
    3. Léandre Alexis Chénard-Poirier & Robert J. Vallerand & Jérémie Verner-Filion & Nathalie Houlfort & Jacques Forest & Natalie Rinfret, 2023. "Optimal Functioning in Society: A Conceptualization, a Measure, and a Look at Determinants," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 857-892, February.
    4. Mateusz Rozmiarek & Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko & Patxi León-Guereño & Miguel Ángel Tapia-Serrano & Grzegorz Kwiatkowski, 2021. "Motivational Differences between 5K Runners, Marathoners and Ultramarathoners in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-12, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Johan Lataster & Jennifer Reijnders & Mayke Janssens & Marianne Simons & Sanne Peeters & Nele Jacobs, 2022. "Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Well-Being Across Age: A Cross-Sectional General Population Study among 1709 Dutch Speaking Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 2259-2290, June.
    2. Thomas Hansen & Morten Blekesaune, 2022. "The age and well-being “paradox”: a longitudinal and multidimensional reconsideration," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1277-1286, December.
    3. Nicolas Loewe & Mehdi Bagherzadeh & Luis Araya-Castillo & Claudio Thieme & Joan Batista-Foguet, 2014. "Life Domain Satisfactions as Predictors of Overall Life Satisfaction Among Workers: Evidence from Chile," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 118(1), pages 71-86, August.
    4. Rubén Arrondo & Ana Cárcaba & Eduardo González, 2021. "Drivers of Subjective Well-being in Spain: Are There Gender Differences?," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(5), pages 2131-2154, October.
    5. Alexandra Cristina Sãžrbu & Mircea Asandului, 2021. "Determinants Of Subjective Well-Being Among Romanian Older Adults," Review of Economic and Business Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 28, pages 111-124, December.
    6. Hudomiet, Péter & Hurd, Michael D. & Rohwedder, Susann, 2021. "The age profile of life satisfaction after age 65 in the U.S," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 431-442.
    7. Terence C. Cheng & Nattavudh Powdthavee & Andrew J. Oswald, 2017. "Longitudinal Evidence for a Midlife Nadir in Human Well‐being: Results from Four Data Sets," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 127(599), pages 126-142, February.
    8. Hilke Brockmann, 2012. "Das Glück der Migranten: eine Lebenslaufanalyse zum subjektiven Wohlbefinden von Migranten der ersten Generation in Deutschland," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 504, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    9. Junji Kageyama & Kazuma Sato, 2021. "Explaining the U-shaped life satisfaction: dissatisfaction as a driver of behavior," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 179-202, July.
    10. AMENDOLA, Adalgiso & DELL'ANNO, Roberto & PARISI, Lavinia, 2015. "Happiness, Inequality and Relative Concerns in European Countries," CELPE Discussion Papers 136, CELPE - CEnter for Labor and Political Economics, University of Salerno, Italy.
    11. Wencke Gwozdz & Alfonso Sousa-Poza, 2010. "Ageing, Health and Life Satisfaction of the Oldest Old: An Analysis for Germany," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 97(3), pages 397-417, July.
    12. Li-Jun Ji & Faizan Imtiaz & Yanjie Su & Zhiyong Zhang & Alexa C. Bowie & Baorui Chang, 2022. "Culture, Aging, Self-Continuity, and Life Satisfaction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 3843-3864, December.
    13. Želinský, Tomáš & Hudec, Oto & Mojsejová, Alena & Hricová, Silvia, 2021. "The effects of population density on subjective well-being: A case-study of Slovakia," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    14. Débora Godoy-Izquierdo & Raquel Lara Moreno & María Vázquez Pérez & Francisco Araque Serrano & Juan Godoy García, 2013. "Correlates of Happiness Among Older Spanish Institutionalised and Non-Institutionalised Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 389-414, April.
    15. Elvisa Drishti & Zamira Shkreli & Edvin Zhllima & Blendi Gerdoçi, 2023. "Deprivation, Social Mobility Considerations, and Life Satisfaction: A Comparative Study of 33 European Countries," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 65(3), pages 511-550, September.
    16. Želinský, Tomáš & Soroková, Tatiana & Petríková, Daniela, 2018. "Economic Characteristics and Subjective Well-Being," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 50(3), pages 334-364.
    17. Veljko Jovanović & Milica Lazić, 2020. "Is Longer Always Better? A Comparison of the Validity of Single-item Versus Multiple-item Measures of Life Satisfaction," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(3), pages 675-692, July.
    18. Paulo Moreira & Susana Pedras & Márcia Silva & Maria Moreira & Joana Oliveira, 2021. "Personality, Attachment, and Well-Being in Adolescents: The Independent Effect of Attachment After Controlling for Personality," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1855-1888, April.
    19. Switek, Maggie, 2013. "Explaining Well-Being over the Life Cycle: A Look at Life Transitions during Young Adulthood," IZA Discussion Papers 7877, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    20. Igor Esnaola & Manuel Benito & Iratxe Antonio-Agirre & Eloisa Ballina & Margarita Lorenzo, 2019. "Gender, Age and Cross-Cultural Differences in Life Satisfaction: a Comparison Between Spain and Mexico," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(6), pages 1935-1949, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00106-w. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.