Keywords

• In the recent years
• research performed within the theoretical framework of "positive psychology" focused on the factors who increase the perception of subjective well-being along the different ages and
• in particular
• during adolescence because the well-being level can be considered an indicator of positive adaptation to the developmental tasks. The research aim was to investigate the influence of personal values on well-being in adolescence controlling the effects of personality traits. 418 subjects (226 males and 192 females
• age 14-18) took part to the research. There were used the following measures: i) The psychological Well-being Scales (Ryff
• Singer
• 1996) in the Italian adaptation (Ruini et al.
• 2003)
• ii) The big five questionnaire (Caprara et al.
• 1993)
• iii) the Portrait Value Ques­tionnaire (pvq) by Schwartz et al. (2001). A hierarchical regression analysis was carried out to investigate the influence of personality traits and personal values on well-being. Results showed that the system of personal values in adolescents exerts a significant influence on well-being even controlling the effects of personality traits. More specifically
• values of self-transcendence (universalism and benevolence) and values of openness to change (stimulation and self-direction) promote well-being in adolescence while values of self-enhancement (power and achievement) influence negatively well-being