Does childhood general cognitive ability at age 12 predict subjective well-being at age 52?

Drawing on a broad, multidimensional conceptualization of subjective well-being, this study examined the power of childhood general cognitive ability to predict life satisfaction, satisfaction with eight individual life domains, and the frequency of experiencing positive and negative affect in middle adulthood. Data were obtained from a representative Luxembourgish sample (N = 738; 53% female) in a longitudinal study conducted in 1968 and 2008. Childhood general cognitive ability was unrelated to life satisfaction, negatively related to negative affect and satisfaction with free time, and positively related to positive affect and satisfaction with some of the life domains associated with socioeconomic success (i.e. finances, self, housing, work, or health). This predictive power persisted even when childhood socioeconomic status was controlled.

► Childhood IQ increases the frequency of experiencing positive affect in adulthood.
► Childhood IQ decreases the frequency of experiencing negative affect in adulthood.
► Childhood IQ has a positive influence on SWB facet associated with SES success.
► Childhood IQ does not affect the level of life satisfaction in middle adulthood.
► The predictive power of childhood IQ remains when controlling for childhood SES.