Objectives: Subjective well-being is a representative indicator of quality of life. Work and life are not separated, and work itself is a part of life. The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of psychological resources such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, GRIT, and resilience on the subjective career success and subjective well-being in dental hygienists. Methods: From November 12, 2020 to December 30, 2020, an online survey was conducted on 650 dental hygienists, and data from 630 were analyzed. For the analysis, independent two-sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were performed, and the confirmatory factor analysis and measurement model, construct validity, construct reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were confirmed. This was verified using a structural equation model. SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 18.0 were used for the statistical analyses; p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The final model fit was found to be suitable. There was no significant difference in subjective career success with respect to the personal characteristics and career characteristics, except for total career and number of turnovers.
There was no significant difference in subjective well-being according to personal characteristics and career characteristics. Psychological resources such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, GRIT, and resilience were significant for subjective career success (p<0.05, R2 =0.637). Subjective career success was significant for subjective well-being (p<0.05, R2 =0.378). Among the psychological resources, self-esteem had both direct and indirect effects on subjective well-being (p<0.05). Conclusions: Positive psychological resources, rather than external conditions, are an important prerequisite for subjective career success and subjective well-being. Thus, it is proven that work is a part of life.