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Self-Related and Other-Related Pathways to Subjective Well-Being in Japan and the United States

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  • Sheida Novin
  • Ivy Tso
  • Sara Konrath

Abstract

Cross-cultural comparisons demonstrate that subjective well-being (SWB) is rated lower among East Asian than Western individuals. Regardless of such cultural differences, however, factors that predict SWB among people from various cultures may be similar. In the current study we demonstrate the universality of two potential pathways to SWB: those which are more self-related (e.g., independent self-construal; personal expression of emotions), and those which are more other-related (e.g., interdependent self-construal; giving social support to others). Using the MIDUS II and the MIDJA datasets, we find that even though American older adults (N = 1,248) report higher levels of SWB, emotional expression, and social support provision than their Japanese counterparts (N = 1,010), there are similar influences of both self and other-related pathways on SWB. Specifically, emotional expression and social support provision contribute equally to SWB in both groups. Moreover, structural equation models revealed that in both cultural groups, independent self-construal has a direct positive effect on SWB, but also indirectly predicts SWB via increased emotional expression and giving support to others. Interdependent self-construal also has a positive effect on SWB. However, it indirectly has both a positive effect (through giving more support to others) and a negative effect (through less emotional expression) on SWB. These findings were nearly identical across cultures, except that Americans showed a stronger positive relationship between independent self-construal and emotional expression, and Japanese showed a stronger positive relation between independence and giving social support. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Sheida Novin & Ivy Tso & Sara Konrath, 2014. "Self-Related and Other-Related Pathways to Subjective Well-Being in Japan and the United States," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(5), pages 995-1014, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:15:y:2014:i:5:p:995-1014
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-013-9460-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patricia A. Thomas, 2010. "Is It Better to Give or to Receive? Social Support and the Well-being of Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 65(3), pages 351-357.
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    1. Iosif Ilia & Dana Rad & Tiberiu Dughi & Anca Egerau & Edgar Demeter & Gavril Rad, 2022. "Schadenfreude and life satisfaction: effect of anger and aggressiveness," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 28(1), pages 76-88, February.
    2. Alma Au & Simon Lai & Wen Wu & Jan Hofer & Holger Busch & Iva Poláčková Šolcová & Peter Tavel & Sheung-Tak Cheng, 2020. "Generativity and Positive Emotion in Older Adults: Mediation of Achievement and Altruism Goal Attainment Across Three Cultures," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 677-692, February.

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