Social Cognitive Predictors of Domain and Life Satisfaction: Exploring the Theoretical Precursors of Subjective Well-Being

• Published in: Journal of counseling psychology 2005-07, Vol.52 (3), p.429-442
• Main Authors: Lent, Robert W, Singley, Daniel, Sheu, Hung-Bin, Gainor, Kathy A, Brenner, Bradley R, Treistman, Dana, Ades, Lisa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitudes; Behavior. Attitude; Biological and medical sciences; Case Studies; Cognition & reasoning; Counseling; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Goal Orientation; Happiness; Health Promotion; Human; Life Satisfaction; Male; Personality; Predictor Variables; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Self Efficacy; Social Cognition; Social cognitive theory; Social interaction; Social psychology; Social Science Research; Subjective wellbeing; Well Being
• ISSN: 0022-0167; 1939-2168
• DOI: 10.1037/0022-0167.52.3.429

Central variables of social cognitive theory were adapted to forge an integrative model of well-being, which was designed to offer greater utility for therapeutic and self-directed change efforts than the dominant personality view of well-being. The authors present 2 studies using versions of the social cognitive model to predict domain-specific and overall life satisfaction. In both studies-one nomothetic, the other idiographic in measurement approach-findings indicated that satisfaction in particular life domains is predicted by domain-specific social cognitive variables (e.g., self-efficacy, perceived goal progress, environmental resources). Domain satisfaction in valued life domains also explained unique variance in overall life satisfaction, even after controlling for trait positive affectivity or extraversion. Implications for theory, research, and counseling aimed at well-being promotion and maintenance are discussed.