The Effect of Depression, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, Temperament, and Character on Life Satisfaction in College Students

Objectives: In order to improve the life satisfaction, we should be aware of psychological factors associated the life satisfaction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of depression, anxiety, temperament, and character on life satisfaction in college students. Methods: A total 314 participants completed questionnaires, which included Satisfaction with Life Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised. To evaluate the difference according to social factor, t-test and one-way analysis of variance were performed. To analyze the effect of psychological characteristics on life satisfaction, stepwise multiple regression analysis was used. Results: Life satisfaction was significantly different according to only gender of the social factors. Life satisfaction was positively correlated with self-esteem, self-directedness, and persistence (P). Conversely, depression, anxiety, harm avoidance, and novelty seeking (NS) were negatively correlated. Stepwise multiple regression revealed that depression, self-esteem, P, NS, and self-transcendence were factors affecting life satisfaction in university students. Conclusion: This result shows that life satisfaction is influenced by depression, self-esteem, temperament, and character. The findings of this study suggest that to improve the life satisfaction requires not only preventing and treatment of depression but also identifying the psychological characteristics, such as temperament and character.ope