METHOD: Seven electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science and the Cochrane database for systematic reviews) were systematically searched. Subjective well-being was defined as life satisfaction, positive affect and happiness. A narrative synthesis of relevant articles was undertaken.
RESULTS: Of 28 studies eligible for inclusion in this review, 20 predominantly examined life satisfaction, 11 positive affect and 4 happiness. Sex and other demographic variables were not significant predictors of subjective well-being. In contrast, greater perceived health was significantly associated with higher levels of life satisfaction and positive affect. Fatigue and visual impairment were significantly correlated with lower levels of life satisfaction and positive affect. However, there was considerable heterogeneity in the findings on physical, cognitive and social associations, mediators and moderators.
CONCLUSION: The large discrepancy of results in the literature may be explained by methodological differences between studies. Centenarian research needs a clearer definition of life satisfaction, positive affect and happiness as their operationalisation is inconsistent. An international consortium of centenarian studies could facilitate cross-cultural comparisons on subjective well-being. Future research should be directed towards interventions that promote subjective well-being in the oldest-old.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 2,200 dentists from 21 countries. Three scales - Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and Affect Balance Scale (ABS) - were used to measure the subjective responses. Data related to demographic and social characteristics were recorded. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used as appropriate. Scales were correlated, and multiple linear regression analyses were employed to identify the independent determinants of SHS, SWLS and ABS. Data were analysed using the SPSS software program; a value of P <0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS: The overall mean scores of SHS, SWLS and ABS were 18.53 ± 5.06, 23.06 ± 6.25 and 1.26 ± 2.40, respectively, with significant differences found across countries: dentists working in Croatia, Peru and Serbia recorded the highest scores, unlike dentists practicing in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, who recorded the lowest scores. There were significant, moderately positive correlations between the various scales: SHS and SWLS: r = 0.535, P
METHODS: The study employed a whole group sampling method, utilizing a physical activity level scale, exercise attitude scale, sleep quality scale, and happiness scale. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 1,308 college students from four universities in China.
RESULTS: The analysis yielded three key findings: (1) Physical activity significantly improves college students' happiness, and this improvement can be achieved through direct and indirect effects. (2) Positive exercise attitude plays an important mediating role between physical activity and happiness, and a high level of exercise attitude can enhance happiness. In addition, the effect of physical activity on happiness is most significant through exercise attitude. (3) Although sleep quality did not significantly mediate the relationship between physical activity and happiness alone, it played a positive role in the chain mediation path of "physical activity → exercise attitude → sleep quality → happiness."
DISCUSSION: The discovery of the chain mediation path shows that physical activity not only affects happiness, but also indirectly affects college students' happiness through the combined effects of psychological and physiological factors.