Time frames and the distinction between affective and cognitive well-being

We examined whether the empirical differences between affective well-being (AWB) and cognitive well-being (CWB) might be due to (a) the use of different time frames in measures of AWB and CWB or (b) structural differences. In Study 1, a multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) analysis indicated that levels of different components are more similar but do not converge completely when the same time frame is used. In Study 2, we found that people are more likely to consider global life circumstances (as opposed to specific events and activities) when they evaluate their CWB, regardless of the specific time frame. In both studies, the time frame did not moderate the associations between AWB and CWB and important correlates (personality, life circumstances).

► Affective well-being (AWB) and cognitive well-being (CWB) are empirically distinct.
► In two studies, two alternative hypotheses about the nature of this distinction are examined.
► The distinction remains even if the same time frame is used in the measures.
► AWB reflects recent events and activities; CWB reflects global life circumstances.