Relative and longitudinal evidence for the importance of the General Factor of Psychosocial Development in predicting well-being

The relationship between the General Factor of Psychosocial Development (GFPD) and well-being was examined. Support for three hypotheses was found. First, the GFPD accounted for more variance in well-being than the shared unique variance of the individual psychosocial stages. In fact, a number of the stages were negatively associated with well-being when controlling for the GFPD. Second, the GFPD accounted for a significant amount of variance in well-being when controlling for the General Factor of Personality. Third, the GFPD partially mediated the relationship between well-being at two points in time.

► The General Factor of Psychosocial Development (GFPD) was examined.
► The GFPD accounted for more variance in well-being than individual stages.
► The GFPD predicted well-being after controlling for personality.
► The GFPD predicted well-being across time.