Happiness and subjective well-being are attracting more and more interest in psychology today. NCCR researcher Michael Eid, now professor at the Free University, Berlin, has co-edited a book of papers on “subjective well-being”, a field of study founded by the American psychologist Ed Diener. In this book, leading researchers in the field address current knowledge, including practical applications.

The volume reviews the breadth of current scientific knowledge on subjective well-being (SWB): its definition, causes and consequences, measurement, and practical applications that may help people become happier. The contributors explore the connections between SWB and a range of intrapersonal and interpersonal phenomena, including personality, relationship satisfaction, wealth, cognitive processes, emotion regulation, religion, family life, school and work experiences, and culture. Interventions and practices that enhance SWB are examined, with attention to both their benefits and limitations. The concluding chapter from Ed Diener dispels common myths in the field and presents a thoughtful agenda for future research. The book is aimed at researchers and students in social, personality, cognitive, and developmental psychology.

“The Science of Subjective Well-Being” edited by Michael Eid, DSc, Department of Psychology, Free University of Berlin, Germany; and Randy J. Larsen, PhD, Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, is published by the Guilford Press, New York (www.guilford.com). It is due out soon.