Despite the growing number of cross-cultural studies focusing on well-being little is known about social support outside of western civilization particularly among people in Middle Eastern cultures. The current study examined the relationships between perceived social support and components of subjective well-being (i.e. positive and negative affect satisfaction with life) among college students in Iran Jordan and the United States. Perceived support from family significantly predicted each aspect of well-being within each country. However perceived support from friends did not predict any component of well-being in Iran; yet in Jordan and the US friend support predicted higher levels of positive mood. These results will be examined in terms of roles and relationship norms in these countries.
Citation:
The Journal of Positive Psychology, Volume 8, Issue 1, 2013, 65-75