Beyond lifestyle, logic and empathy: subjective health, mood, emotional intelligence, and personality as keys to well-being for women and men.

Abstract

In a study involving 831 women and 309 men aged 18 to 64, we sought to explore the key determinants influencing various components of well-being, including happiness, life satisfaction, and vigor/vitality. The determinants examined encompassed sociodemographic variables, health indicators, sedentary behaviors, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), sleep patterns, eating habits, alcohol consumption, smoking, mood indicators, personality traits, emotional intelligence, logical thinking, non-utilitarian decision-making, and adverse childhood experiences. Our findings indicate that happiness, life satisfaction, and vigor are most significantly affected by mood indicators-especially depression-emotional intelligence (particularly the ability to manage emotions), and overall subjective health. Additionally, specific personality traits, such as extraversion in women and neuroticism in men, played a significant role in influencing well-being. Conversely, determinants such as BMI, sleep habits, regular physical activity, sedentary behavior, dietary habits, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as well as logical thinking, non-utilitarian decision-making, and adverse childhood experiences, showed limited or no significant impact on well-being components like happiness, life satisfaction, and vigor. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of human well-being, highlighting the distinct determinants of happiness, life satisfaction, and vigor/vitality for men and women.