Cultural Orientation and Subjective Well-Being

Abstract

There is a plethora of literature that attests to the important implication of cultural orientation for many spheres of human existence. In previous research the individualism-collectivism construct has been associated with, and most predictive of, subjective well-being. However, these studies have predominantly, though not solely, focused on Western and non-African samples. The present study examined the relationship between cultural orientation and subjective well-being in the Ghanaian context. The prediction that in a predominantly collectivist cultural context such as Ghana higher levels of collectivism will be associated with greater subjective well-being was confirmed. Contrary to a priori prediction, individualism was also positively associated with subjective well-being. Findings are discussed in light of characteristics of the individualism-collectivism construct and implications for further research.