This study examined the influences of optimism and positive orientation on students' subjective well-being. Japanese university students (N = 325) completed a questionnaire. A factor analysis was conducted, and results showed that positive orientation can be divided into five categories-upward orientation, maintenance of undisturbed states, maintenance of status quo, downward comparison (positive), and downward comparison (negative)-depending on where one places the point of reference recognized as positive. Results of structural equation modeling were as follows. Optimism was positively related to upward orientation, maintenance of undisturbed states, and downward comparison (positive), and negatively related to maintenance of status quo and downward comparison (negative). In turn, upward orientation, downward comparison (positive), and maintenance of status quo were positively related to subjective well-being. The influence of optimism through upward orientation on subjective well-being was stronger than the corresponding influence of downward comparison (positive).

Key words: optimism, positive orientation, subjective well-being