Psychology and Public Health: Exploring the Dynamics of Subjective Well-being

The study of psychology examines human thought and behaviour, which are essential for understanding public health, as many health outcomes are closely tied to human activities. Poor habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy eating, and lack of exercise significantly affect health. This research employed a combination of online academic databases and search engines to gather articles that explore the connection between public health psychology and subjective well-being (SWB). Key sources included Google Scholar and PsycINFO, focusing on literature relevant to SWB factors and theories. Selection criteria emphasized relevance, interdisciplinary approaches, journal impact, research location, and accuracy. Over 50 research publications were analysed, with 20 summarized for this study, centring on SWB empirical literature. Four broad theoretical categories were identified: evaluative theories, fulfilment and commitment theories, emotional theories, and personal orientation theories. Analysis revealed inconsistencies in theoretical and procedural frameworks, complicating systematic comparison of empirical findings. The research identified seven key factors influencing SWB: personality, socioeconomic status (SES), community support, faith and social norms, basic participant characteristics, and geography and infrastructure. These determinants highlight opportunities to strengthen the link between theory and empirical research. Furthermore, overlaps among determinants and theoretical categories suggest the potential for simultaneously testing multiple theories. This integrative approach could advance our understanding of SWB and its impact on public health.