The Relationship between Social Support and Subjective Well-Being across the Lifespan

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine how social support measured as the subjective assessment of social support adequacy given by family, friends or significant others contributes to well-being (happiness, life satisfaction and domain satisfactions) across the life span. The study was conducted on a representative sample of the Croatian adult population (N = 1.000). For the purpose of analyses the sample was divided into three age groups: 18 to 40 years, 41 to 60 years, and 60+ years. The results were analyzed by means of multiple group structural equation modeling, which was performed separately for two measures of subjective well-being (SWB -a general measure of life satisfaction and happiness, PWI -domain satisfactions). The results showed that in all three age groups, among three sources of social support only the perceived social support from friends was significantly related to both subjective well-being measures. Participants who perceived adequate social support from friends expressed higher levels of subjective well-being.

Predictors of wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: Key roles for gratitude and tragic optimism in a UK-based cohort.

“…Similarly, physical activity and nature connection displayed moderately-sized correlations but did not contribute significantly to the model. The observed positive associations between the predictor variables and wellbeing are congruent with previous research (Auer et al, 2016;Brajša-Žganec et al, 2018;Heo & Lee, 2010;Pritchard et al, 2020;Wiese et al, 2018;Wood et al, 2010), although effect sizes of the present data are larger than previous research.…”

“…Further to physical activity and positive psychological experience, social support is another critical component of wellbeing. Defined as the perception or experience of being loved, cared for, and valued by others, social support is positively related to wellbeing measures, such as life satisfaction (r = .23) and personal wellbeing (r = .34) (Brajša-Žganec et al, 2018). Conversely, poor social relationships have been shown to increase risk for mortality to a greater extent than well-known risk factors, such as obesity and physical inactivity (Holt-Lunstad et al, 2010).…”

Self-Esteem Mediates the Relationships Between Social Support, Subjective Well-Being, and Perceived Discrimination in Chinese People With Physical Disability

“…Studies in the normal group have shown that social support, a critical external factor, is significantly correlated with SWB (Cimarolli and Boerner, 2005; Chu et al, 2010; Brajša-Žganec et al, 2018). Social support is defined as an exchange of resources between at least two individuals perceived by the provider or the recipient as having the intention to enhance the well-being of the recipient (Shumaker and Brownell, 1984).…”

The Connection Between Parental Sense of Competence and Support in Early and Preschool Children’s Upbringing / Povezanost doživljaja roditeljske kompetentnosti i podrške u odgoju djece rane i predškolske dobi

“…The Parental Competence Scale (Keresteš et al, 2011) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet et al, 1988;Brajša-Žganec et al, 2018) were used in the research.…”

“…In observing the new social circumstances, the need for broader discussion of parental competence arises. Competent parents have a lot of knowledge about child development and the importance of a supportive environment .in this process; furthermore, they feel good feel good in their role while achieving the child's and their own well-being (Brajša-Žganec et al, 2015;Delale, 2011;Ljubetić, 2012;Petani & Kristić, 2012;Reić Ercegovac & Penezić, 2012). A competent parent spends a lot of free time with the family, engages in children's play, is interested in children's activities and interests, and thus positively contributes to all aspects of the child's development, including the prevention of behavioural problems (Berc & Blažeka Kokorić, 2013).…”