Positive Expectancies and Subjective Well-Being: A Prospective Study Among Undergraduates in Serbia

Veljko Jovanović (), Dylan Molenaar, Vesna Gavrilov-Jerković and Milica Lazić
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Veljko Jovanović: University of Novi Sad
Dylan Molenaar: University of Amsterdam
Vesna Gavrilov-Jerković: University of Novi Sad
Milica Lazić: University of Novi Sad

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2021, vol. 22, issue 3, No 11, 1239-1258

Abstract: Abstract The present study investigates the relationship between two types of positive expectancies—dispositional optimism and general self-efficacy—and four indicators of subjective well-being—life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and depression—at three time points over a 2-year period. In addition, the moderating role of positive expectancies in the relationship between negative life events and subjective well-being were examined. A total of 367 undergraduate students from Serbia (Mage = 21.57 years) completed measures at each time point. The results of the path analysis showed that optimism was concurrently associated with all indicators of subjective well-being, whereas self-efficacy had consistent concurrent associations only with positive affect. Positive expectancies were generally weak prospective predictors of subjective well-being, with higher levels of optimism at Time 2 (6-month follow-up) predicting higher levels of life satisfaction at Time 3 (2-year follow-up), and higher levels of self-efficacy at Time 2 predicting a higher positive affect at Time 3. Some evidence of reverse causality was also found, with a higher positive affect at Time 1 and Time 2 predicting higher levels of both optimism and self-efficacy at later time points. Positive expectancies did not moderate the relationship between negative life events and subjective well-being. Our results suggest that findings of cross-sectional studies on the relationship between positive expectancies and subjective well-being cannot be generalized to longitudinal data and that causal contribution of positive expectancies to subjective well-being might be overestimated.

Keywords: Optimism; Self-efficacy; Subjective well-being; Negative life events; Moderation; Longitudinal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-020-00271-3

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