Abstract
Hedonia and eudaimonia are the two most prominent approaches for defining and pursuing happiness. Previous research has shown that pursuing eudaimonia is generally more beneficial to well-being than pursuing hedonia. However, whether the pursuit of hedonia can impair well-being remains unclear, as does the mechanism behind this process. Building on the Motivational Conflict Theory, this study proposed that seeking hedonia and eudaimonia would predict individuals’ well-being differently, because the former interferes with eudaimonic activities, such as mastery and altruistic behaviors, while the latter promotes them. Online surveys were conducted on 364 Chinese first-year undergraduate students. Data on their happiness orientation and psychological and affective well-being were collected at the beginning of the semester. Approximately three months later, their well-being was measured again, along with self-reported mastery and altruistic behaviors during the semester. Results indicated that hedonic orientation was correlated with concurrent well-being negatively, while eudaimonic orientation was correlated positively. Moreover, hedonic orientation’s negative indirect effects on longitudinal well-being were mediated by mastery behavior but not altruistic behavior. Contrastingly, eudaimonic orientation’s positive indirect effects on longitudinal well-being were mediated by both mastery and altruistic behaviors. These findings suggest that relationships among happiness orientation, relevant behavioral choices, and well-being are more complex than previously thought.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
Data supporting the reported results can be found in online repositories:https://osf.io/mqvna/?view_only=cb27b1effb95427baf1cdc3712f902af.
References
Aknin, L. B., Dunn, E. W., Whillans, A. V., Grant, A. M., & Norton, M. I. (2013). Making a difference matters: impact unlocks the emotional benefits of prosocial spending. Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization,88, 90–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2013.01.008
Asano, R., Tsukamoto, S., Igarashi, T., & Huta, V. (2021). Psychometric properties of measures of hedonic and eudaimonic orientations in Japan: The HEMA scale. Current psychology,40(1), 390–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-9954-z
Behzadnia, B., & Ryan, R. M. (2018). Eudaimonic and hedonic orientations in physical education and their relations with motivation and wellness. International Journal of Sport Psychology,49(5), 363–385. https://doi.org/10.7352/IJSP.2018.49.363
Burnette, J. L., O’boyle, E. H., VanEpps, E. M., Pollack, J. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2013). Mind-sets matter: a meta-analytic review of implicit theories and self-regulation. Psychological Bulletin,139(3), 655. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029531
Caputi, M., Lecce, S., Pagnin, A., & Banerjee, R. (2012). Longitudinal effects of theory of mind on later peer relations: the role of prosocial behavior. Developmental psychology,48(1), 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025402
Chen, H., & Zeng, Z. (2021). When do hedonic and eudaimonic orientations lead to happiness? Moderating effects of orientation priority. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,18(18), 9798. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189798
Chen, H., & Zeng, Z. (2022). Associations of hedonic and eudaimonic orientations with subjective experience and objective functioning in academic settings: the mediating roles of academic behavioral engagement and procrastination. Frontiers in psychology,13, 948768. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.948768
Cui, P., Shen, Y., Hommey, C., and Ma, J. (2021). The dark side of the pursuit of happiness comes from the pursuit of hedonia: the mediation of materialism and the moderation of self-control. Current Psychology, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02104-9
Dehghan, P., Aynehchi, A., Saleh-Ghadimi, S., Asghari Jafarabadi, M., & Moslemi, E. (2022). Association of self-efficacy and coping with sleep quality and disturbances with an emphasis on mediating role of eating behaviors and body mass index: a structural equation modeling approach. Current Psychology,41(11), 7471–7481. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01774-9
Delle Fave, A., Massimini, F., & Bassi, M. (2011). Hedonism and eudaimonism in positive psychology. In A. Delle, & Fave (Eds.), Psychological selection and optimal experience across cultures: Social empowerment through personal growth (2 vol., pp. 3–18). Springer.
Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Tov, W., Kim-Prieto, C., Choi, D., Oishi, S., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). New well-being measures: short scales to assess flourishing and positive and negative feelings. Social Indicators Research,97(2), 143–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-009-9493-y
Gentzler, A. L., DeLong, K. L., Palmer, C. A., & Huta, V. (2021). Hedonic and eudaimonic motives to pursue well-being in three samples of youth. Motivation and Emotion,45(3), 312–326. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-021-09882-6
Gintis, H., Bowles, S., Boyd, R., & Fehr, E. (2003). Explaining altruistic behavior in humans. Evolution and human Behavior,24(3), 153–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1090-5138(02)00157-5
Giuntoli, L., Condini, F., Ceccarini, F., Huta, V., & Vidotto, G. (2021). The different roles of hedonic and eudaimonic motives for activities in predicting functioning and well-being experiences. Journal of happiness studies,22(4), 1657–1671. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00290-0
Henderson, L. W., & Knight, T. (2012). Integrating the hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives to more comprehensively understand wellbeing and pathways to wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing,2(3), 196–221. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v2i3.3
Henderson, L. W., Knight, T., & Richardson, B. (2013). An exploration of the well-being benefits of hedonic and eudaimonic behaviour. The Journal of Positive Psychology,8(4), 322–336. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2013.803596
Henderson, L. W., Knight, T., & Richardson, B. (2014). The hedonic and eudaimonic validity of the orientations to happiness scale. Social Indicators Research,115(3), 1087–1099. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-013-0264-4
Hofer, M., Kuhnle, C., Kilian, B., Marta, E., & Fries, S. (2011). Motivational interference in school-leisure conflict and learning outcomes: the differential effects of two value conceptions. Learning and Instruction,21(3), 301–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2010.02.009
Hofer, M., Schmid, S., Fries, S., Dietz, F., Clausen, M., & Reinders, H. (2007). Individual values, motivational conflicts, and learning for school. Learning and Instruction,17(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2006.11.003
Hofer, M., Schmid, S., Fries, S., Zivkovic, I., & Dietz, F. (2009). Value orientations and studying in school–leisure conflict: A study with samples from five countries. Learning and Individual Differences,19(1), 101–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2008.09.007
Huta, V. (2015). The complementary roles of eudaimonia and hedonia and how they can be pursued in practice. Positive psychology in practice: promoting human flourishing in work, health, education, everyday life, 159–182. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118996874.ch10
Huta, V. (2016). Eudaimonic and hedonic orientations: Theoretical considerations and research findings. In J. Vittersø (Eds), Handbook of eudaimonic well-being. International handbooks of quality-of-life. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42445-3_15
Huta, V., & Ryan, R. M. (2010). Pursuing pleasure or virtue: the differential and overlapping well-being benefits of hedonic and eudaimonic motives. Journal of happiness studies,11(6), 735–762. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-009-9171-4
Jia, N., Li, W., Zhang, L., & Kong, F. (2022). Beneficial effects of hedonic and eudaimonic motivations on subjective well-being in adolescents: a two-wave cross-lagged analysis. The Journal of Positive Psychology,17(5), 701–707. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2021.1913641
Joshanloo, M., & Jarden, A. (2016). Individualism as the moderator of the relationship between hedonism and happiness: a study in 19 nations. Personality and Individual Differences,94, 149–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.01.025
Khumalo, I. P., Wilson-Fadiji, A., & Brouwers, S. A. (2020). Well-being orientations and time perspective across cultural tightness–looseness latent classes in Africa. Journal of happiness studies,21(5), 1681–1703. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-019-00151-5
King, R. B., & Gaerlan, M. J. (2013). To study or not to study? Investigating the link between time perspectives and motivational interference. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology,7(2), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.1017/prp.2013.8
Kryza-Lacombe, M., Tanzini, E., & O’Neill, S. (2019). Hedonic and eudaimonic motives: associations with academic achievement and negative emotional states among urban college students. Journal of happiness studies,20(5), 1323–1341. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9994-y
Kung, F. Y., & Scholer, A. A. (2020). The pursuit of multiple goals. Social and Personality Psychology Compass,14(1), e12509. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12509
Laible, D. J., Carlo, G., & Roesch, S. C. (2004). Pathways to self-esteem in late adolescence: the role of parent and peer attachment, empathy, and social behaviours. Journal of Adolescence,27(6), 703–716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2004.05.005
Landis, S. K., Sherman, M. F., Piedmont, R. L., Kirkhart, M. W., Rapp, E. M., & Bike, D. H. (2009). The relation between elevation and self-reported prosocial behavior: incremental validity over the five-factor model of personality. The Journal of Positive Psychology,4(1), 71–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760802399208
Li, W., Zhang, L., Jia, N., & Kong, F. (2021). Validation of the hedonic and eudaimonic motives for activities-revised scale in chinese adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,18(8), 3959. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18083959
Lin, L., & Chan, H. W. (2020). The associations between happiness motives and well-being in China: the mediating role of psychological need satisfaction and frustration. Frontiers in psychology,11, 2198. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02198
Little, T. D., Cunningham, W. A., Shahar, G., & Widaman, K. F. (2002). To parcel or not to parcel: exploring the question, weighing the merits. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal,9(2), 151–173. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15328007SEM0902_1
Martela, F., & Ryan, R. M. (2016). Prosocial behavior increases well-being and vitality even without contact with the beneficiary: causal and behavioral evidence. Motivation and Emotion, 40(3), 351–357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-016-9552-z
Martin-Krumm, C., Kern, L., Fontayne, P., Romo, L., Boudoukha, A. H., & Boniwell, I. (2015). French adaptation of the orientation to happiness scale and its relationship to quality of life in french students. Social Indicators Research,124(1), 259–281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0774-8
McMahan, E. A., & Estes, D. (2012). Age-related differences in lay conceptions of well-being and experienced well-being. Journal of happiness studies,13(1), 79–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-011-9251-0
Moradi Siah Afshadi, M., Amiri, S., & Talebi, H. (2023). Examining the structural equation modeling between intrinsic-motivation, emotion regulation and AHDH: the mediating role of problem-solving, time-management, and behavioral-inhibition. Current psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04289-7
Paciello, M., Fida, R., Cerniglia, L., Tramontano, C., & Cole, E. (2013). High cost helping scenario: the role of empathy, prosocial reasoning and moral disengagement on helping behavior. Personality and Individual Differences,55(1), 3–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2012.11.004
Passmore, H. A., Howell, A. J., & Holder, M. D. (2018). Positioning implicit theories of well-being within a positivity framework. Journal of happiness studies,19(8), 2445–2463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-017-9934-2
Pearce, K., & Huta, V. (2023). When are people willing to help others? Links with eudaimonic versus hedonic motives. Motivation and Emotion. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-022-10004-z
Porter, T., Molina, D. C., Blackwell, L., Roberts, S., Quirk, A., Duckworth, A. L., & Trzesniewski, K. (2020a). Measuring mastery behaviours at scale: the persistence, effort, resilience, and challenge-seeking (PERC) Task. Journal of Learning Analytics,7(1), 5–18. https://doi.org/10.18608/jla.2020.71.2
Porter, T., Schumann, K., Selmeczy, D., & Trzesniewski, K. (2020b). Intellectual humility predicts mastery behaviors when learning. Learning and Individual Differences,80, 101888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2020.101888
Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods,40(3), 879–891. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.40.3.879
Rushton, J. P., Chrisjohn, R. D., & Fekken, G. C. (1981). The altruistic personality and the self-report altruism scale. Personality and Individual Differences,2(4), 293–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(81)90084-2
Sheldon, K. M., Corcoran, M., & Prentice, M. (2019). Pursuing eudaimonic functioning versus pursuing hedonic well-being: the first goal succeeds in its aim, whereas the second does not. Journal of happiness studies,20(3), 919–933. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9980-4
Sheldon, K. M., Gunz, A., Nichols, C. P., & Ferguson, Y. (2010). Extrinsic value orientation and affective forecasting: overestimating the rewards, underestimating the costs. Journal of Personality,78(1), 149–178. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2009.00612.x
Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2012). The challenge of staying happier: testing the hedonic adaptation prevention model. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin,38(5), 670–680. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167212436400
Sim, M., Kim, S. Y., & Suh, Y. (2022). Sample size requirements for simple and complex mediation models. Educational and Psychological Measurement,82(1), 76–106. https://doi.org/10.1177/00131644211003261
Skinner, E. A., Pitzer, J. R., & Steele, J. S. (2016). Can student engagement serve as a motivational resource for academic coping, persistence, and learning during late elementary and early middle school? Developmental psychology,52(12), 2099–2117. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000232
Steg, L., Perlaviciute, G., van der Werff, E., & Lurvink, J. (2014). The significance of hedonic values for environmentally relevant attitudes, preferences, and actions. Environment and Behavior,46(2), 163–192. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916512454730
Steger, M. F., Kashdan, T. B., & Oishi, S. (2008). Being good by doing good: daily eudaimonic activity and well-being. Journal of research in personality,42(1), 22–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2007.03.004
Su, T., Tian, L., & Huebner, E. S. (2021). The reciprocal relations among prosocial behavior, satisfaction of relatedness needs at school, and subjective well-being in school: a three-wave cross-lagged study among chinese elementary school students. Current psychology,40(8), 3734–3746. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00323-9
Tankersley, D., Stowe, C. J., & Huettel, S. A. (2007). Altruism is associated with an increased neural response to agency. Nature Neuroscience,10(2), 150–151. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1833
Telzer, E. H., Fuligni, A. J., Lieberman, M. D., & Galván, A. (2014). Neural sensitivity to eudaimonic and hedonic rewards differentially predict adolescent depressive symptoms over time. Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences,111(18), 6600–6605. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1323014111
Tsay-Vogel, M., & Krakowiak, K. M. (2016). Effects of hedonic and eudaimonic motivations on film enjoyment through moral disengagement. Communication Research Reports,33(1), 54–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2015.1117443
Vittersø, J., & Søholt, Y. (2011). Life satisfaction goes with pleasure and personal growth goes with interest: Further arguments for separating hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. The Journal of Positive Psychology,6(4), 326–335. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2011.584548
Wang, M., Zou, H., Zhang, W., & Hou, K. (2019). Emotional intelligence and subjective well-being in Chinese university students: the role of humor styles. Journal of happiness studies,20(4), 1163–1178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9982-2
Wilson, T. D., & Gilbert, D. T. (2005). Affective forecasting. Current Directions in Psychological Science,14(3), 131. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(03)01006-2
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all the participants for attending the current research.
Funding
This study was supported by Hangzhou Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning Project (Z22YD052) and Zhejiang International Studies University Annual Project (2023QNYB6) awarded to HC.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All authors contributed to the study conception, design, material preparation, and data collection. Data analysis was performed by Hezhi Chen. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Hezhi Chen and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval
The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of Student Affairs Department, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics.
Consent
All participants provided online informed consent before participating in the study.
Competing interests
The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Chen, H., Zeng, Z. Longitudinal well-being through the pursuit of hedonia and eudaimonia: inhibition and enhancement of eudaimonic behavior. Curr Psychol 43, 6603–6612 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04857-x
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04857-x