Value priorities and subjective well-being: direct relations and congruityeffects

Two studies investigated relations of value priorities to measures of subje ctive of well-being. Samples of students and adults, from Israel and former East and West Germany (N = 1261), participated in Part I. Hypothesized dir ect relations of nine types of values to Ir cll-being, based on 'healthy' v alues from the psychotherapy, literature, relations of values to needs, sel f-determination theory, and the emotional resources needed to pursue variou s values were tested in each sample. Achievement, self-direction, stimulati on, tradition, conformity and security values correlated with affective wel l-being, as predicted, but not,with cognitive well-being. Part II tested th e hypothesis that well-being depends upon congruence between personal value s and the prevailing value environment. Results largely supported specific hypotheses regarding the values conductive to positive and negative well-be ing among students of business administration (n = 40) and psychology (n = 42). Hypotheses were derived from the social sanctions, environmental affor dances for value attainment, and internal value conflicts likely to be expe rienced in each department. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.