A meta-analysis of 188 studies (313 samples, N=65,911) examined the effects of major life events on cognitive and affective well-being (AWB and CWB). The findings showed that life events have different effects on these two components of subjective well-being (SWB). For most events, the effects on cognitive well-being were stronger and more consistent across samples than on affective well-being. The effects of life events on SWB varied depending on the type of event, but these effects were not related to the desirability of the event. The results suggest that adaptation to life events differs between cognitive and affective well-being, with cognitive well-being adapting more quickly. The study also found that the rate of adaptation varied across different life events, with some events (e.g., unemployment) showing slower adaptation than others (e.g., marriage). The study highlights the importance of considering both cognitive and affective well-being when examining the impact of life events on SWB. The findings have implications for theories of adaptation and suggest that future research should focus on the differential effects of life events on cognitive and affective well-being. The study also emphasizes the need for longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term effects of life events on SWB.A meta-analysis of 188 studies (313 samples, N=65,911) examined the effects of major life events on cognitive and affective well-being (AWB and CWB). The findings showed that life events have different effects on these two components of subjective well-being (SWB). For most events, the effects on cognitive well-being were stronger and more consistent across samples than on affective well-being. The effects of life events on SWB varied depending on the type of event, but these effects were not related to the desirability of the event. The results suggest that adaptation to life events differs between cognitive and affective well-being, with cognitive well-being adapting more quickly. The study also found that the rate of adaptation varied across different life events, with some events (e.g., unemployment) showing slower adaptation than others (e.g., marriage). The study highlights the importance of considering both cognitive and affective well-being when examining the impact of life events on SWB. The findings have implications for theories of adaptation and suggest that future research should focus on the differential effects of life events on cognitive and affective well-being. The study also emphasizes the need for longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term effects of life events on SWB.