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Within-Individual Variability in Well-Being Among Emerging Adults
Anne Sofie Tegner Anker1, Signe Hald Andersen2, Line Hjorth Andersen1
1The ROCKWOOL Foundation Research Unit, The ROCKWOOL Foundation, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Journal of Adolescence
|July 9, 2025
Summary
Emerging adults experience significant fluctuations in well-being, with indicators varying considerably over time. This suggests many individuals move in and out of poor well-being, though a small group consistently reports low levels.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Adolescent Development
Background:
- Rising rates of poor well-being in youth are a public concern.
- Understanding well-being volatility in emerging adults is crucial.
- This study investigates within-individual variability in well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the degree of fluctuation in well-being indicators among emerging adults.
- To identify factors associated with well-being variability.
Main Methods:
- Collected repeated measures of five well-being indicators (life satisfaction, mental health, stress, loneliness, self-rated health) from 133 Danish students (mean age 18.6) bi-weekly over 3 months.
- Calculated standard deviations, absolute fluctuations, and range to quantify within-individual variability.
- Examined correlates of well-being variability.
Main Results:
- All five well-being indicators showed considerable variation over the study period.
- The average within-individual range spanned approximately 30% of the indicator scales.
- Within-individual standard deviations were about two-thirds of between-individual standard deviations.
- Females and those with lower baseline well-being exhibited greater variability.
Conclusions:
- Individual well-being in emerging adulthood is highly dynamic, even for those with initially low well-being.
- A significant portion of emerging adults may experience fluctuating periods of poor well-being.
- A small subgroup (approx. 7%) consistently reports low well-being, warranting attention.
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