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A demonstration of set-points for subjective wellbeing
journal contribution
posted on 2014-01-01, 00:00 authored by Robert CumminsRobert Cummins, N Li, M Wooden, Mark StokesMark StokesThis paper presents evidence for the existence of ‘set-points’ for subjective wellbeing. Our results derive from a 10-year longitudinal study in which subjective wellbeing has been measured using a single question of general life satisfaction. The process of data analysis is driven by logic based on the theory of subjective wellbeing homeostasis. This analysis involves the iterative elimination of raw data, from 7,356 individual respondents, based on confidence limits. All results are projected onto a 0–100 point scale. We demonstrate evidence for the existence of set-points lying between 71 and 90 points, with an average set-point-range of 18–20 points for each person. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
History
Journal
Journal of happiness studiesVolume
15Issue
1Pagination
183 - 206Publisher
SpringerLocation
Dordrecht, The NetherlandsPublisher DOI
ISSN
1389-4978eISSN
1573-7780Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2014, SpringerUsage metrics
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