AIMS: The study aims to better understand the relationship between sense of community (SOC) and wellbeing from multiple analytical perspectives, considering different aspects of wellbeing and individual contextual factors. METHODS: Four hundred and ninety-one adults from Québec, Canada, completed an online survey, and 296 also completed it a month later. We explored 1) cross-sectional associations between SOC and wellbeing, 2) latent profiles of people, underlying the association between SOC and wellbeing, and 3) cross-lagged relationships between SOC and wellbeing. RESULTS: Correlation and regression showed that SOC and wellbeing were related cross-sectionally, although the association with negative wellbeing was weaker. Latent profile analysis identified four profiles showing differing SOC-wellbeing associations. Cross-lagged analyses showed that over time, SOC only marginally predicted emotional wellbeing but that wellbeing systematically predicted SOC. CONCLUSION: Researchers and psychologists should acknowledge the complexity of relationships between SOC and wellbeing using person-centered perspectives. Social justice and wellbeing promotion implications are discussed.
AIMS: The study aims to better understand the relationship between sense of community (SOC) and wellbeing from multiple analytical perspectives, considering different aspects of wellbeing and individual contextual factors. METHODS: Four hundred and ninety-one adults from Québec, Canada, completed an online survey, and 296 also completed it a month later. We explored 1) cross-sectional associations between SOC and wellbeing, 2) latent profiles of people, underlying the association between SOC and wellbeing, and 3) cross-lagged relationships between SOC and wellbeing. RESULTS: Correlation and regression showed that SOC and wellbeing were related cross-sectionally, although the association with negative wellbeing was weaker. Latent profile analysis identified four profiles showing differing SOC-wellbeing associations. Cross-lagged analyses showed that over time, SOC only marginally predicted emotional wellbeing but that wellbeing systematically predicted SOC. CONCLUSION: Researchers and psychologists should acknowledge the complexity of relationships between SOC and wellbeing using person-centered perspectives. Social justice and wellbeing promotion implications are discussed.