Nonlinear Model for Predicting Subjective Well-being and its Change After Psychological Intervention

Abstract

Background. The aims of the present study were: a) to construct nonlinear integrated subjective well-being (SWB) model based on bottom-up approach and experimental data on several personality variables: inner directedness, time competence, sociotropy, perfectionism, locus of control, body dissatisfaction, neuroticism, and alexithymia; b) to use SWB model for evaluating the effectiveness of rhythmic movement therapy (RMT) in the increasing of SWB level. Methods. A total of 273 subjects (54 males and 219 females, mean age was 37.3±10.5 years) were selected at random in nonclinical population and assessed with the appropriate surveys and questionnaires. The obtained data were used to construct the SWB model, evaluation of its parameters and validation. The RMT program was proposed to the 105 subjects (24 males, 81 females, mean age 37.6±11.7 years) with very low, low and medium SWB level. Control group was included. Findings. Results revealed that: a) the SWB model not only predicts the level of SWB satisfactorily but also allows obtaining the partial response functions of psychological predictors of SWB directly as a result of estimation of model’s parameters; b) the efficacy of RMT intervention for increasing SWB level was confirmed; c) SWB model predicts the changes in SWB after RMT intervention satisfactorily and can help to identify the reliable predictors of success.