10 Characteristics of Highly Satisfied People, According to Psychology

Life satisfaction is an essential aspect of human well-being. This has been examined by many scholars in different fields & disciplines. Philosophically, life satisfaction can be taken as a form of the human search for happiness and fulfilment. Greek philosophers dating back to ancient Greece till present day psychologists, the pursuit of happiness, purpose, meaning and satisfaction has been a central theme of interest and often these words are also used interchangeably, though they are interrelated and influence/ affect one other by they are different.

In line with psychology, recent advancements in positive psychology has put the light on life satisfaction making it a subject of extensive study over the last few decades. The article therefore combines findings from a number of studies to identify and discuss ten key attributes  that are consistently associated with people reporting high levels of life satisfaction. A clear understanding of these traits could provide insights for both clinicians and general public as they seek greater improvement in their well-being. 

1. Gratitude 

Gratitude is defined as the feeling or quality of being thankful towards someone or something. It is viewed as one significant trait behind life satisfaction because it helps individuals focus on their positive experiences rather than negative events or perceived limitations about themselves. Applying gratitude to everyday life results in increased feelings of happiness, improved human interaction and enhanced personal wellness.

Numerous studies have highlighted the strong correlation between gratitude and life satisfaction. Grateful individuals score higher on well-being while lower on depression and stress (Wood et al.,  2010). Gratitude, as a practice, whether through writing journals or undertaking mental exercises, increases overall life satisfaction (Emmons & McCullough, 2003). Moreover, some recent studies by Rash et al. (2011) found that gratitude intervention can improve students’  quality of life in college students. 

According to Psychologist Tapas Dasmohapatra, Every person has certain expectations, which often become their aspirations ambitions or even obsessions. When achievements match or exceed these expectations, it leads to satisfaction. Conversely, when achievements fall short of expectations, it results in disappointment. Therefore, the contribution of life satisfaction is in its fulfilment

2. Resilience 

One trait of satisfied people is the ability to bounce back from adversity. In her work,  Masten (2001) defined resilience as “ordinary magic” which she argued was a common capacity from fundamental human adaptational systems. Resilient people often look at challenges as opportunities for personal development leading to increased life satisfaction over time (Tugade & Fredrickson, 2004). A recent meta-analysis by Hu et al. (2015) validated that resilience is positively connected with life satisfaction across diverse populations.

3. Optimism 

Optimism is about having a positive attitude about life; a tendency to expect good things to happen. It involves a hopeful and confident attitude, even in the face of challenges. It is strongly related to life satisfaction. It was Scheier and Carver’s (1985) ground-breaking study on dispositional optimism, which demonstrated that optimism is associated with better physical and psychological well-being. Optimistic individuals are less likely to use ineffective coping strategies and exhibit higher levels of life satisfaction even in the face of adversities (Carver et al., 2010). In another longitudinal study conducted by Kim et al. (2017), it has been established that optimism predicts greater life satisfaction over ten years. 

4. Strong Social Connections 

The quality and quantity of social relationships have consistently predicted life satisfaction among adults in research studies. According to Diener and Seligman (2002), happier people have richer and more fulfilling social lives than their unhappy counterparts do; furthermore, in the study by Fowler & Christakis (2008), happiness can spread in social networks, implying that positive relations not only benefit life satisfaction of individuals but also their social circles  & networks. Hobfoll et al., (2010) provided evidence that strong social connections improve longevity (living longer) and quality of life, reinforcing their significance for life satisfaction. 

According to Counselling Psychologist Chinmayee Aphale, socializing plays a crucial role in broadening our perspective and focusing on different aspects of our lives. When facing challenges or problems, having friends and a supportive network allows us to discuss and share different perspectives, providing us with various lenses through which to view our situation.

Socializing helps relieve stress and builds a supportive circle that we can turn to for help. It enhances overall well-being by reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. The sense of camaraderie and knowing that a community stands by us fosters courage and resilience, making it easier to navigate and overcome challenges.

5. Sense of Purpose 

Individuals who perceive their lives as meaningful and purposeful report higher levels of life satisfaction. Steger et al. (2006) developed the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, which has been widely used to demonstrate the link between purpose and well-being. Engaging in activities aligned with one’s values and long-term goals contributes significantly to life satisfaction (Ryff & Singer, 2008). More recent research by Schnell (2009) has expanded on this, showing that both the presence of and search for meaning in life are positively associated with life satisfaction. 

6. Emotional Intelligence 

Greater life satisfaction is associated with the ability to recognize, understand and manage emotions. Mayer and Salovey’s (1997) model of emotional intelligence has been linked to a wide range of positive outcomes, including life satisfaction. Those who have a high level of emotional intelligence have improved social relations, and better stress management (Zeidner et al., 2012). Schutte and Malouff’s study (2011), found that emotional intelligence training can help improve personal wellbeing & life satisfaction.

7. Mindfulness 

There is a lot of psychological research on mindfulness which is rooted in ancient traditions.  Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and aware of the current moment, without judgment or distraction. It involves paying attention to one’s thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in a non-judgmental way, often through meditation or other mindfulness practices.  Mindfulness has been linked to various positive outcomes, including improved mental health, reduced stress, and increased life satisfaction. Brown and Ryan (2003) found various aspects related to well-being such as life satisfaction associated with mindfulness.

Regular practice of mindfulness has also revealed reductions in stress levels as well as anxiety; hence reducing depression and enhancing overall quality of life (Keng et al., 2011). Khoury et al.(2013),  through their meta-analysis studies, confirmed the positive impact on psychological well-being made by interventions based on mindfulness. 

8. Self-Compassion 

Self-compassion comprises self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. It has been linked to higher levels of life satisfaction as being kind, warm and accepting of one’s self leads to self-forgiveness and hence enhances one’s quality of life. Individuals who practice self-compassion tend to have greater emotional resilience and more positive self-perceptions,  contributing to overall well-being (Zessin et al., 2015). A study by Neff and Germer (2013)  demonstrated that a self-compassion training program significantly increased life satisfaction and well-being. 

9. Personal Growth Orientation 

Contentment in individuals is always an indication of a long-term self-improvement commitment by them (Ryff, 1989). A model of psychological well-being by Ryff (1989)  includes the development of oneself i.e. personal growth as one of the important aspects.  Individuals who seek to learn and improve themselves generally reveal significantly higher levels of satisfaction with life and maintain this state over time (Sheldon & Kasser, 2001).

Personal growth gives momentum and purpose to life and enhances the self-esteem and efficacy of an individual. According to a study recently undertaken by Peterson, Park and Seligman (2010),  engaging in activities that are based on strengths helps in personal growth and attaining satisfaction. 

10. Autonomy 

The perception that one is in control of his or her own life including choices made is vital for personal satisfaction. Autonomy is one among three basic psychological needs according to the self-determination theory developed by Deci & Ryan (2000). Individuals who act autonomously while making decisions or performing actions usually report better feelings about themselves as well as greater happiness across all societies unlike those who do not feel autonomous (Chirkov et al., 2003). More recent research by Reis, Sheldon, Gable, Roscoe, and  Ryan (2014) confirmed that daily experiences of autonomy support enhance overall life satisfaction.

Personality Traits and Life Satisfaction 

Apart from these traits, ample studies have also empirically established that Individuals who are satisfied with their lives often exhibit a set of distinct personality traits, The ‘Big Five’- Emotional Stability, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, Openness to Experience and  Agreeableness. 

It should be noted that these traits are not innate or permanent; they can develop over time. Future research should focus on interventions that target these specific traits to enhance overall life satisfaction. There could be possible cultural variations in the expression and relevance of these traits for satisfaction, further individual differences; for different individuals, other different traits may roll out as the reason for satisfaction. However,  understanding and development of these traits through interventions, educational programs, and personal development strategies aimed at improving life satisfaction. As the field of positive psychology continues to evolve, these insights provide a solid foundation for promoting well being at both individual and societal levels.