Test of a Model of Domain Satisfactions and Well-Being

Abstract

There is a need for conceptual models that accommodate data on older as well as younger adults. The Campbell et al. (1976) model of life quality proved more successful in accounting for life-domain satisfactions for persons 54 and younger than for those 55 and older. The model for this study includes as predictors the discrepancies of own situation from the 4 most powerful reference frames used by Campbell et al. (aspiration, typical American, best ever had, and close friends), plus equity. Typical American, equity, and best ever had were the most successful reference frames in accounting for independent variance in satisfactions with 13 domains of life experience for adults 25-98. Aspiration, unlike any of the other 4 predictors, appears to exhibit an age-group interaction effect: In several cases it is related more closely to domain satisfaction for people under 55 than for those older. Reference frame-own situation differences, summed across domains, were effective in predicting overall well being or life quality.