Genetic Contribution to the Individual Differences in Subjective Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis Cover Image

Genetski doprinos individualnim razlikama u subjektivnoj dobrobiti: metaanaliza
Genetic Contribution to the Individual Differences in Subjective Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis

Author(s): Tena Vukasović, Denis Bratko, Ana Butković
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar
Keywords: meta-analysis; heritability; subjective well-being; life-satisfaction; behavioral genetics

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this meta-analysis was to systemize existing knowledge in the field of subjective well-being heritability and to give guidelines for future research in the field. Subjective well-being is a tendency to have a positive cognitive and affective view of one's life. Research in the field of behavioral genetics has shown that individual differences in subjective well-being are partly determined by genes. Depending on the methodology used (research design, questionnaires, statistical analysis) there is variation in the heritability of subjective well-being. For this meta-analysis, inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined and a literature search has been completed with 14 primary studies identified. Five studies had to be excluded from the analysis because of dependent data (samples). The average subjective well-being index of heritability shows that 39% (k=10, Q(df=9)=241.32, p<0.0001) of the phenotype variance can be explained by genetic contribution. After correcting for publication bias, 32% (k=12, Q (df=11)=392.83, p<0.0001) of the phenotype variance can be explained by genetic contribution. Guidelines for future research are discussed as well as limitations of this meta-analysis.

  • Issue Year: 21/2012
  • Issue No: 115
  • Page Range: 1-17
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: Croatian