The Structure of Psychological Well-Being in Cultural Context: Towards a Hierarchical Model of Psychological Health

Abstract

This study explored whether an overlap exists in the empirical manifestations of various constructs for psychological well-being. Secondary factor analyses were conducted on data obtained from four studies, comprising 2,024 participants from relatively individualist and collectivist cultural contexts. Questionnaires varied in data sets and measured facets of affective, cognitive, conative, spiritual, interpersonal and social well-being. Results showed a great overlap of constructs on an empirical level in both social/cultural contexts. A (higher-order) general psychological well-being (GPW) factor was identified as well as unique patterns in relatively individualist and collectivist cultural contexts. There was evidence to suggest a strong GPW component in psychological resilience. A hierarchical model of psychological well-being appears to have merit.