Red, White, and Feeling Blue: A Correlational Study on the Relationship Between Subjective Well-Being and Relationship Quality, as Moderated by Political Extremity

Abstract

This study examines the correlational ties between subjective well-being (SWB), relationship quality (RQ), and political extremity among 125 undergraduate ECU PSYC 1000 students during the height of the 2024 presidential election. Using validated measures, including the Satisfaction with Life Scale and Social Support Scale, we tested how political views moderate the established connection between relationship quality and subjective well-being. Results revealed a strong positive correlation between relationship quality and SWB (r = .459, p < .001), while political affiliation showed a weaker but significant relationship with SWB (r = .212, p < .05). Contrary to expectations, stronger political affiliation did not weaken the relationship quality to subjective well-being connection, suggesting that quality relationships benefit well-being regardless of political ideology. An unexpected finding showed that first-generation students reported higher levels of well-being (r = .303, p < .001), which is an intriguing factor that is potentially worthy of further investigation.