The Relationship Between Global and Domain-Specific Evaluations of Life Satisfaction: A Feedback Loop Theory

Previous studies on the relationship between global (top-down) and domain-specific (bottom-up) evaluations of life satisfaction have revealed mixed findings. The current study investigated the reciprocal relationship between top-down and bottom-up processes using two analytic methods to properly account for time-varying predictors, confounding variables, and stable individual differences. Specifically, hierarchical Bayesian continuous-time dynamic modeling and marginal structural models were employed.

Data from the Swiss Household Panel study (N = 25,181)-a nationally representative, longitudinal survey conducted in Switzerland-was used. Global life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Satisfaction with five life domains (i.e., health, income, personal relationships, free time, and job) was also measured.

A series of marginal structural models revealed that subsequent global life satisfaction was predicted by each domain-specific evaluation, and prior global life satisfaction also predicted each domain-specific evaluation. Continuous-time dynamic modeling revealed that an independent shock of magnitude 1.00 to the top-down process predicted future increases in the bottom-up process, and vice versa.

Taken together, the findings of this study can be represented by a closed-loop feedback model, which illustrates predictive effects between top-down and bottom-up processes.