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Tests of the causal directions of global — Life facet satisfaction relationships

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Abstract

Previous research generally has supported multiple discrepancies theory (MDT) of the processes by which individuals arrive at judgments of satisfaction with various aspects of their lives as well as with life overall. However, the nature of possible causal relationships between overall and life facet satisfaction has been ignored. The purpose of this study was to extend MDT by testing alternative theoretical models which specified Bottom-up, Top-Down, and Bidirectional relationships between overall life satisfaction and satisfaction with 11 life facets in a sample of 1354 U.S. college students. Results most strongly favored the Bidirectional model in which the overall — life facet satisfaction relationship varied across life domains. The need to identify boundary conditions which determine the direction of the overall — life facet satisfaction relationship is discussed.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, GA, USA

    Charles E. Lance, Alison G. Mallard & Alex C. Michalos

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  1. Charles E. Lance
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  2. Alison G. Mallard
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Lance, C.E., Mallard, A.G. & Michalos, A.C. Tests of the causal directions of global — Life facet satisfaction relationships. Soc Indic Res 34, 69–92 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01078968

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