The belief in a just world and subjective well-being in old age

Abstract

This article investigates the relationship between the belief in a just world (BJW) and subjective well-being in old age. On the basis of just world theory, the authors argue that seniors who strongly endorse the belief in a personally just world should reveal a better well-being. The results of a questionnaire study with Slovakian senior citizens are reported. A positive relationship between strong BJW and subjective well-being (life satisfaction, positive and negative affect) was observed. Moreover, the relationship persisted when controlled for other significant predictors of well-being (subjective health, social contacts). The overall pattern of results reveals the belief in a personal just world to have a unique association with subjective well-being in old age.

Acknowledgements

The study was supported by Grant VEGA: 1/9190/02 awarded to the first author.