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The impact of life events and changes in domain satisfactions on well-being

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Abstract

Previous research has shown that QOL measures are reasonably reliable and valid for static analysis. This article is concerned with the validity of the measures for use in panel studies/dynamic analysis. Are they sensitive enough to register changes (i.e., enhanced satisfaction and well-being) of the kind one would expect to follow favourable life events, and also changes (i.e., reduced satisfaction and well-being) due to adverse life events? Also, do changes in satisfaction with specific domains of life produce concomitant changes in the general sense of well-being?

These questions are addressed by means of a small panel study (N=184) in which respondents were interviewed first in November 1978 and a second time in January 1981. The questionnaire included a more detailed life events inventory (Dohrenwendet al., 1978) and one which contained a larger number of favourable events than inventories included in previous QOL panel studies (Campbellet al., 1976; Atkinson, 1982).

Unlike previous researchers, we found some statistically significant relationships between aggregate life events scores and changes in well-being. Changes in relatively affective measures of well-being were greater than in relatively cognitive measures. We also found strong, predictable relationships between changes in domain satisfactions and changes in the general sense of well-being.

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For their advice and comments we would like to thank Frank M. Andrews of the University of Michigan, Colin Benjamin of the Department of Employment and Training, Victoria, Johnathan Kelley of the Australian National University, Michele Levine of the University of Melbourne, and Susan Payne of the University of Queensland. Our thanks are also due to the following institutions for research support: The Australian Research Grants Scheme, the Department of Community Welfare Services, Victoria and the University of Melbourne.

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Headey, B., Holmström, E. & Wearing, A. The impact of life events and changes in domain satisfactions on well-being. Soc Indic Res 15, 203–227 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00668671

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