Abstract

The present study tried to identify 1) if the six factors of psychological well-being suggested in Western cultures were similar in Korean culture, 2) the relationship between PWB and SWB, 3) how the relationship between PWB and SWB was different according to gender and age. A sample of 578 men and women(age of between 20s and 60s) completed a questionnaire survey. Results showed that first, as suggested in previous studies, six-factor model was the best-fitting model in explaining PWB. Second, although both Self Acceptance and Environmental Mastery showed the highest correlation with all three factors of SWB as in the previous studies, Positive Relations with Others, the factor that was not important in the studies in Western culture, was also important in explaining SWB. Third, with regarding with gender, Purpose in Life was relatively more important in predicting men's SWB whereas Personal Growth was relatively more important in predicting women's SWB. Also, Self Acceptance and Environmental mastery were important factors for other age groups' SWB whereas Personal Growth, Positive Relationship with Others, and Purpose in Life were important factors for older groups' SWB. Finally, results revealed in the present study were compared with previous results and limitations of the study were discussed.