Exploring the Relationship of Belief in Just World with Subjective Well-Being among Students

Abstract

The objective of present study was to explore the relationship of personal belief in a just world with happiness, optimism and life satisfaction in students. The sample of 250 students including 131 males and 119 females between age ranges from 18 to 25 years (mean age of 21.8 & SD=2.2) were randomly selected from different higher education institutions situated in Karachi, Pakistan. Personal Belief in Just World Scale (Fatima & Khalid, 2007), Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999)), Life Orientation Test (Scheier, Carver, & Bridges, 1994) and Life Satisfaction Scale (Mughal & Khanam, 2013) were administered. Pearson Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation reveals significant positive correlation of personal belief in just world with happiness (r=.31, p<.05), optimism (r=.20, p<.05) and life satisfaction (r=.40, p<.05). Our findings support the view that personal belief in a just world is an important resource for students in Pakistan as it seems to preserve their subjective well-being.