Psychological and Subjective Well-Being of Ethiopian Adults: Correlates and Socio-Cultural Constructions
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Date
2015-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of the study was two-fold: to examine the socio-demographic and psychological
predictors of well-being and formulate a socio-culturally sound approach explaining the meaning
and experience of psychological well-being among Ethiopian adults. Ryan and Deci’s Self-
Determination Theory was duly considered as a theoretical framework of the study. The study
followed a sequential explanatory mixed method design. Both quantitative and qualitative data were
obtained, via scales and open-ended questionnaires, from 438 civil servants working in Addis Ababa.
30 interviews were also conducted to gain further information. An in-depth analysis of the reliability
and validity of instruments was made before employing them to the main study. The results showed
that adults were better off in both their scores of psychological and subjective well-being. Besides,
adults’ well-being was found to be quite a function of their gender, age, marital status, educational
level and household income. Males had a healthier psychological well-being status than females,
where as females were better in their subjective well-being. A significant difference in psychological
well-being was also observed between emerging and young adults, in favor of the young; and
between cohabitated and married adults, married being advantageous. A significant difference in
subjective well-being measures was also noticed among single, cohabitated and married adults, in
favor of the married adults in all measures. The finding revealed that happiness level of adults
decrease as their educational status increases while the reverse is true to psychological well-being.
Besides, as adults’ household income boosts, so do their psychological well-being and satisfaction in
life. The regression analysis also produced significant independent contributions of household
income to overall well-being of adults. As such, subjective well-being was significantly predicted by
dummy variable of sex and marital status. Likewise, the agreeableness, conscientiousness,
neuroticism and openness dimensions of personality were notable significant predictors of adults’
psychological well-being where as extraversion and agreeableness were significant predictors of
their subjective well-being. Religiosity was also a significant predictor of adults’ psychological well-
being. Besides, adults’ well-being was significantly predicted by the interaction between
conscientiousness and religiosity. From goal pursuit dimensions, attainment of extrinsic life goals
was a significant predictor of both psychological and subjective well-being. Importance and
attainment of intrinsic life goals also significantly predicts adults’ psychological well-being. Finally,
the subjective well-being of adults was significantly predicted by environmental mastery, positive
relations with others, self-acceptance and overall psychological well-being scores of adults. The
thematic analysis identified five major categories of themes, which are essential in explaining the
psychological well-being of Ethiopian adults. These were; socio-cultural harmony, social cohesion,
security, competence and accomplishment, and the self. Detailed discussion on the rational for
including these themes was made and appropriate implications were proposed. Researchers are
encouraged to expand the findings of this research and in turn develop a suitable approach taping the
psychological well-being of adults living in countries like Ethiopia
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Keywords
Socio-Cultural Constructions