Factors predicting life satisfaction : a process model of personality, multidimensional self-concept, and life satisfaction

Philip D. Parker, Andrew J. Martin, Herbert W. Marsh

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    24 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Life satisfaction is an important component of psychological health and wellbeing. Although personality is consistently linked to life satisfaction, its ‘innate’ and stable nature can make it a difficult target for intervention by practitioners. More malleable and context-specific factors such as multidimensional self-concept may prove to be better targets for such intervention. However, the extent to which multidimensional self-concept predicts life satisfaction over and above personality is unclear. The present study, then, examines the extent to which these two factors predict life satisfaction with a view to ascertaining their relative salience for subsequent research and practice. Among a sample of 523 (predominantly young) adult students from two universities/colleges in Sydney, structural equation modelling using LISREL examined a process model of personality, multidimensional self-concept, and life satisfaction. Results suggest a strong direct role for the personality traits of extraversion, neuroticism, and conscientiousness but also an important mediating role for parent, same-sex peer, physical ability, and appearance self-concepts. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)15-29
    Number of pages15
    JournalAustralian Journal of Guidance and Counselling
    Volume18
    Issue number1
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

    Keywords

    • personality
    • quality of life
    • self, perception
    • university students

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Factors predicting life satisfaction : a process model of personality, multidimensional self-concept, and life satisfaction'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this