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Mediators of the Relationship Between Cognition and Subjective Well-Being

Author

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  • Neshat Yazdani

    (Fordham University)

  • Karen L. Siedlecki

    (Fordham University)

Abstract

Cognitive functioning has consistently found to predict subjective well-being (SWB), but it remains unclear why this relationship exists. Several potential explanations for this relationship have been offered in the literature, one of which is that a third variable accounts for this relationship. The current study examines this hypothesis by testing need for cognition (NfC), self-rated health, physical activity, cognitive activity, emotional stability, and conscientiousness as mediators of the relationship between cognitive ability (g) and indices of well-being. Data were drawn from the Virginia Cognitive Aging Project, a study of community-dwelling adults aged 18–99 (N = 4354). A composite variable representing cognition was created using measures of episodic memory, perceptual speed, reasoning ability, and spatial visualization. SWB was conceptualized as life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect; the three facets of SWB were treated as separate outcomes. Results indicate that NfC, self-rated health, emotional stability, and conscientiousness partially mediate the relationship between cognition and all facets of SWB. Neither physical activity nor cognitive activity mediated the relationship between cognition and SWB. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the cognition-SWB relationship can partially be explained by third variables and provide insight into the personality and individual difference characteristics that underlie this relationship.

Suggested Citation

  • Neshat Yazdani & Karen L. Siedlecki, 2021. "Mediators of the Relationship Between Cognition and Subjective Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(7), pages 3091-3109, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:22:y:2021:i:7:d:10.1007_s10902-021-00357-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-021-00357-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kamel Gana & Nathalie Bailly & Yaël Saada & Michèle Joulain & Daniel Alaphilippe, 2012. "Does Life Satisfaction Change in Old Age: Results From an 8-Year Longitudinal Study," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 68(4), pages 540-552.
    2. Amy Love Collins & Noreen Goldman & Germán Rodríguez, 2008. "Is Positive Well-Being Protective of Mobility Limitations Among Older Adults?," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 63(6), pages 321-327.
    3. Pamela Wicker & Dennis Coates & Christoph Breuer, 2015. "The effect of a four-week fitness program on satisfaction with health and life," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 60(1), pages 41-47, January.
    4. Arthur A. Stone & Joseph E. Schwartz & Joan E. Broderick & Angus Deaton, 2010. "A snapshot of the age distribution of psychological well-being in the United States," Working Papers 1230, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Health and Wellbeing..
    5. Derek M. Isaacowitz & Jacqui Smith, 2003. "Positive and Negative Affect in Very Old Age," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 58(3), pages 143-152.
    6. Kristopher Gauthier & Andrew Christopher & Mark Walter & Ronney Mourad & Pam Marek, 2006. "Religiosity, Religious Doubt, and the Need for Cognition: Their Interactive Relationship with Life Satisfaction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 7(2), pages 139-154, June.
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    1. Gignac, Gilles E. & Stevens, Elizabeth M., 2024. "Attitude toward numbers: A better predictor of financial literacy and intelligence than need for cognition," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).

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