Coping and motivation as predictors of subjective and psychological well-being

Abstract

Consensus is that mental health is not simply the absence of psychopathological symptoms, but requires a state of well-being. Therefore, the promotion of well-being is now considered a health priority. The main objective of this study was to analyze the joint contribution of motivation and coping to the development of subjective and psychological well-being. Two hundred participants (115 men and 85 women) responded to different questionnaires on motivation, coping and several dimensions of subjective and psychological well-being. The results showed that motivation and coping taken together were signifi cant predictors of the different dimensions of well-being as analyzed. It is concluded that promotion of well-being programs should encourage people to pursue their goals by autonomous motivation, employ coping strategies based on problem solving, positive cognitive restructuring and social support and obviates the use of avoidance strategies.