The Interplay Of Cultural Syndromes And Personality In Predicting Life Satisfaction Comparing Asian Americans and European Americans

• Published in: Journal of cross-cultural psychology Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 38 - 60
• Main Authors: Benet-Martínez, Verónica, Karakitapoglu-Aygün, Zahide
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2003
• Subjects: Asian American people; Cultural aspects; Ethnic differences; European American people; Individualism-Collectivism; Life satisfaction; Personality; Subjective wellbeing; USA
• ISSN: 0022-0221; 1552-5422
• DOI: 10.1177/0022022102239154

This study explored how personality and cultural variables influence subjective well-being (SWB) in two different U.S. ethnic groups: Asian Americans and European Americans. Structural equation modeling analyses supported a hypothesized culture?personality model of SWB, in which the cultural syndromes of individualism and collectivism predict variations on personality dispositions (Big Five), which, in turn, influence life satisfaction through self- and relational esteem. Despite ethnic mean-level differences found for many of the variables, none of the pathways in the culture?personality model of SWB differed across our two ethnic groups. Furthermore, the culture?personality model of SWB fit the data more adequately than a competing personality?culture model of SWB, in which personality dispositions preceded cultural syndromes in predicting life satisfaction. A consistent finding was the stronger weight of self-esteem (compared with relational esteem) in predicting life satisfaction for both ethnic groups. Results are discussed in the context of acculturation theory and recent cultural psychology views.