A Scoping Review of Subjective Well-being in a South African Work Context

Subjective well-being (SWB) reflects a life characterised by frequent positive emotions, low negative emotions, and overall satisfaction with one’s life. Although numerous systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, and large-scale reviews exist globally, no recent review has specifically mapped the landscape of SWB among employed South Africans. Existing reviews that include South Africa often combine employed and unemployed groups, making it difficult to isolate findings relevant to the workplace. This study presents a scoping review of qualitative and quantitative research on workplace-related SWB in South Africa from 2013 to 2025. It summarises key trends, gaps, and recommendations in the field. Guided by seven research questions, the review explores methodological choices, SWB constructs investigated, significant relationships, study limitations, and common recommendations for research and practice. The findings show a strong reliance on quantitative, cross-sectional methods and a predominant focus on evaluative well-being, with limited attention given to experienced well-being. Key constructs linked to SWB include psychological states, organisational factors, and personal resources. Thematic analysis of limitations and future directions reveals recurring methodological concerns and calls for more diverse, longitudinal, and qualitative approaches. General observations indicate inconsistencies in how SWB is defined and measured, often conflating it with related but distinct constructs. Recognising what is happening in specific national contexts, such as South Africa, not only fosters international collaboration and networking opportunities but also equips local researchers to design future SWB studies with greater methodological rigour, clearer theoretical grounding, and a better grasp of the unique challenges that come with doing research in diverse settings.