Background: Despite advancements in understanding the impact of personal satisfaction on health, ambiguity persists regarding the concept of personal satisfaction.
Purpose: To elucidate the meaning of personal satisfaction.
Method: Walker and Avant's approach of concept analysis was used to guide the analysis. Databases were searched using the words "satisfaction" and "personal satisfaction." A literature search was conducted in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases to locate articles on personal satisfaction. The "quick search" option available on the website of the Saudi Digital Library was utilized to find articles that pertain to nonhealth-related, fields.
Findings: Three defining attributes (the fulfillment of personal needs or wants, a positive affect, and a positive attitude) and three antecedents (personal needs or wants, the cognitive ability to judge or evaluate needs, and the freedom to decide how personal needs should be fulfilled) were identified. The study found that satisfaction improved health, quality of life, and productivity.
Conclusion: The theoretical definition provides a connotative meaning, and is the first step toward concept validation and instrument development. The Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale are examples of empirical definitions for personal satisfaction with life and self, respectively.
Keywords: concept analysis; needs; personal satisfaction.
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