PREDICTING SWB FROM TP IN EMERGING & MIDDLE ADULTS: MEDIATING ROLE OF PERSONALITY

Abstract

The attainment and maintenance of an optimal level of happiness is an essential human need, regardless of age. Though a consensus exists upon the answer to the question about what constitutes happiness, to reach an absolute description of subjective wellbeing and of its antecedents and correlates is a tough task, or to be precise, virtually impossible. Majority of the researches on subjective wellbeing have shown a gargantuan concern in recent years about the conditions or situations that make human beings happy. Though most studies account for how the changing societal conditions accompanied by technological revolution in the last two decades have negatively influenced the wellbeing of emerging and middle adults, they have myopically omitted the havoc wreaked by these changes. It has become important to ascertain how generational differences influence wellbeing. Unto that end developing a better understanding of the characteristics of healthy psychological development in these groups is required. The present research empirically examines the role of time perspective (TP) and personality, in predicting subjective wellbeing (SWB) of the two distinct groups with generational differences, emerging and middle adults. It focuses on whether generational differences and characteristics affect decisions about the objective life conditions and also looks into how temporal cognitive-emotional frame (time perspective), and personality of different generational groups interact and influence subjective wellbeing. For the purpose of the study, primary responses were collected from 517 participants among whom 244 were emerging adults, while 273 were middle-aged adults. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS©20 and AMOS©21. The data was checked for missing values, normality, reliability, and non-multicollinearity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to obtain the factor structure and fitness of the obtained factor pattern on the focused sample. The proposed hypotheses of this study were examined using t-test, multiple hierarchical regression technique, and mediation was tested using the Preacher and Hayes (2008) SPSS PROCESS MODEL. The findings of this study suggest that generational characteristics have an insignificant role in SWB. In contrast, and against our expectations, both groups were rated an equal level of subjective wellbeing, which means that there is no generational difference in the iii experience of SWB. The results reveal that TP is a unique predictor which produces a remarkable variance in the SWB of both groups. The study also demonstrates that personality functioned as a partial mediator for emerging adults while fully mediate the proposed association of TP and SWB for middle adults. The findings reported in this study make several contributions to the literature on subjective wellbeing. This study provides updated estimates for the associations between SWB and some of its most important antecedents such as time perspective and personality in the Indian cultural context. This model of wellbeing may help to resolve some of the controversies that currently exist as to whether or not wellbeing is influenced by generational characteristics and age. Furthermore, personality traits also mediate the relation of TP and SWB. The current study advised developing a better understanding of the differences and similarities between generational groups. The study also suggests that with this understanding human resource professionals, psychologists, and families can develop a better way to interact with different generation or age groups in the process of making policies, and methods to deal with them. Which ultimately leads to improved satisfaction, better decision-making ability, commitment, and retention in these groups. It is important, especially for any educational institute or organization to first develop a time perspective and personality profile of the individuals so that assessment of adjustment, perception, psychological state and health can be made. Key Words: Generation, Subjective Wellbeing, Time Perspective, Personality