Examining the Multidimensional Structure of Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from Mexico

Most research on subjective well-being (SWB) relies on the classic tripartite model encompassing life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. This convention often obscures the multidimensional and context-dependent character of SWB. Drawing on nationally representative data from Mexico, this study systematically compares alternative models of the construct. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, we evaluate configurations that integrate eudaimonic, affective, and cognitive components to assess whether SWB can be represented as a unified or multidimensional structure. The results indicate that several competing models display robust fit, with the correlated three-factor, hierarchical, and bifactor specifications performing best. These findings suggest that SWB is better understood as a system of interrelated but distinct dimensions rather than a single latent trait. Taken together, the results support the view of SWB as a fluid and dynamic phenomenon whose internal configuration may shift with social and individual circumstances, calling for more flexible theoretical and empirical approaches to its study.