Testing the gender invariance in relations between personality traits, social problem solving and subjective- well-being: The structural eqution modeling approach

Present research compared the relation between subjective well – being, social problem solving dimensions (constructive problem solving and dysfunctional problem solving), neuroticism and extraversion latent variables among male and female students using structural equation modeling (SEM). So after drawing path among variables the research model was built and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used for testing that mediating role of the gender in that relations. Data collected from 536 university students (261 male and 285 female) that completed Big Five Factor personality and social problem solving inventories and subjective well – being scales. Results indicate that in spite of same fitting in measurement model, there is no similarity between men and women in structural model respect to data fitting. Comparison results which was made between structural models of men and women makes it clear that among men, subjective well-being can be predicted strongly by neuroticism as compared to women and among women constructive problem solving and dysfunction problem solving can be predicted by extraversion in better manner as compared to men. And in compare to men subjective well – being can be predicted strongly by dysfunction problem solving among women. The results of this research emphasis on mediating role of gender in studying the relation between personality, social problem solving and subjective well – being. The findings suggest is that general health professionals and therapists should consider the important role of gender in studying and explaining the influence of personality and social problem solving on subjective well-being. Repetition of this result by the longitudinal study is necessary.