The concept of subjective well-being emerged in psychology during the 1970s when the age-old philosophical question of happiness became a focal point for empirical investigation within this field, as explained by Anna Hegai, a graduate student and teacher at the Higher School of Economics, and a psychologist-methodologist at the Victoria Charitable Children’s Foundation.

Researchers identify three approaches to measuring well-being:

1. Subjective well-being (E. Diener) – how closely a person believes their life aligns with the most desirable state.

2. Psychological well-being (C. Ryff, D. Leontiev) – the assessment of personality traits that contribute to happiness (positive relationships with others, self-acceptance, having a life purpose, etc.).

3. Quality of life – an objective evaluation of the favorability of external living conditions.

As far back as 1970, while studying well-being in Nordic countries, Finnish sociologist E. Allardt categorized all human needs into three groups: having, loving, and being.[25] For each category, both objective and subjective measures of satisfaction were examined. Only individuals themselves can determine how complete, fulfilling, and meaningful their lives are – in other words, their subjectively perceived quality of life.

Renowned researchers, including Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman and his collaborator Amos Tversky, have discovered that perceived quality of life and subjective well-being are minimally affected by external circumstances. They found that “life circumstances make only a small contribution to the variance of happiness – far smaller than the contribution of inherited temperament or personality.”[26] This phenomenon has been termed the paradox of subjective well-being.

The encouraging news is that if you possess a sufficient level of optimism and life satisfaction, this state of well-being can be quickly regained, regardless of external events. Anna Hegai explains, “After significant life shocks, such as the loss of loved ones, divorce, or severe illness, individuals typically regain their previous level of well-being within 3–5 years. Additionally, people tend to become more content and good-natured with age. This reflects a form of personal growth associated with aging. Individuals in their 40s tend to report greater life satisfaction than those in their 17s.”

According to a model proposed by UCR professor Sonja Lyubomirsky,[27] happiness can be attributed to the following factors:

• Genetic predisposition (50 %);

• Life circumstances (10 %);

• Intentional activities and behaviors (40 %).

While genetic predisposition and life circumstances cannot be easily influenced, behavioral change is within an individual’s control. People can alter their outlook on life, thought patterns, habits, and self-esteem.

Moreover, engaging in activities that demand intentional effort, such as continuous learning, plays a pivotal role in achieving lasting happiness. This implies that external circumstances, which are not related to intentional activity, have a fleeting impact on subjective well-being,[28] whereas purposeful activities involving effortful challenges and volitional choices form the foundation for sustained well-being.

Psychological science also provides diagnostic tools for measuring personal resources, perceived support, life orientation, and subjective well-being. Anna Hegai lists several well-being indicators that can be assessed before and after the implementation of social and psychological projects and programs: