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Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.5559/di.21.1.01

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

Tena VUKASOVIĆ orcid id orcid.org/0000-0003-3734-5582 ; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zagreb
Denis BRATKO orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-2482-4413 ; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zagreb
Ana BUTKOVIĆ ; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zagreb


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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.

Keywords

meta-analysis; heritability; subjective well-being; life-satisfaction; behavioral genetics

Hrčak ID:

79631

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/79631

Publication date:

1.1.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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