Psychological Wellbeing and Sociodemographic Variables in a Sample of Chilean University Workers and Students

Based on Carol Ryff's (1989) concept of psychological well-being, this study aimed to describe and compare this construct in workers from various industries and higher education students. The sample was of an intentional non-probabilistic type and consisted of 415 participants; 76.9% (n = 319) were workers from three types of industries and 23.1% (n = 96) were higher education students. Data collection was carried out using the adapted version of the Ryff Psychological Wellbeing Scale (Diaz et al, 2006). The results show significant differences between workers and students. The greatest differences are observed when comparing the sample according to family income. According to sex and age, differences are found only in the positive relationships component. It is possible to conclude the importance of the role of the work on psychological wellbeing and how it varies according to the socioeconomic conditions of the worker and the field in which he/she works.