Determinants of Life Satisfaction and Mental Wellbeing in the Danish General Population: Shared and Distinct Associations

OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation between two wellbeing components: life satisfaction and mental wellbeing and identify key determinants (sociodemographic, health, behavioural, social).

METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from 10,196 adults from the nationally representative Danish National Health Survey 2023. Main outcomes were self-reported life satisfaction measured on a single-item scale from 0-10 and mental wellbeing by the short version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS). Correlations were examined using Spearman's rho (ρ) and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). Linear regression models estimated associations between key determinants and the outcomes.

RESULTS: The two outcomes were strongly correlated, yet remained distinct. Wellbeing scores were similar across sex, age, ethnicity, education, employment, BMI, tobacco, and alcohol use. Scores varied by marital status, financial strain, self-rated health, chronic illness, physical activity, loneliness, stress, anxiety, and depression risk. Associations with pain, sleep quality, social support, and leisure activities were mixed.

CONCLUSION: Despite a strong correlation discriminant validity was maintained. Wellbeing outcomes should not be treated as interchangeable, as their associations vary across population groups.