Eudaimonic and Hedonic Components of Happiness

Antonella Delle Fave, Ingrid Brdar, Teresa Freire, Dianne Vella-Brodrick, Marié P. Wissing

This paper illustrates a new project developed by a cross-country team of researchers, with the aim of studying the hedonic and eudaimonic components of happiness through a mixed method approach combining both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Data were collected from 666 participants in Australia, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and South Africa. A major aim of the study was to examine definitions and experiences of happiness using open-ended questions. Among the components of well-being traditionally associated with the eudaimonic approach, meaning in particular was explored in terms of constituents, relevance, and subjective experience. The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) was also administered to quantitatively assess the hedonic dimension of happiness. Results showed that happiness was primarily defined as a condition of psychological balance and harmony. Among the different life domains, family and social relations were prominently associated with happiness and meaningfulness. The quantitative analyses highlighted the relationship between happiness, meaningfulness, and satisfaction with life, as well as the different and complementary contributions of each component to well-being. At the theoretical and methodological levels, findings suggest the importance of jointly investigating happiness and its relationship with other dimensions of well-being, in order to detect differences and synergies among them.

 
At the theoretical and methodological levels, findings clearly highlight the importance of jointly investigating the different aspects of happiness and their relationship with other dimensions of well-being, such as meaning and life satisfaction, in order to detect differences and synergies among them. The EHHI project is the first study which allows for this analysis.
 
The qualitative evaluation of the definition of happiness allowed us to detect a previously overlooked dimension, namely harmony/balance. This dimension refers to an even and peaceful attitude in dealing with life events, be they pleasant or unpleasant, and in achieving a balance between different needs, commitments and aspirations. It finds its roots in both the Asian and the Western traditions. Recently, Sirgy and Wu (2009) have focused on this topic in a theoretical paper which expands the threefold orientation to happiness model proposed by Seligman (2002), by adding to it the contribution of balance to well-being. Sirgy and Wu focus their analysis on the role of balance in promoting life satisfaction, the hedonic aspect of well-being, Further studies are needed to better disentangle this dimension and to investigate its role in enhancing well-being in its different components and facets.
At the interpretative level, results shed light on a trend which is apparently uniformly spreading in Western societies: well-being is prominently pursued and found in meaning and feelings confined to the home environment or to a close circle of friends. Community and Social issues are less valued as targets of resource investment.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-010-9632-5
 

Full Text

Delle Fave, A., Brdar, I., Freire, T., Vella-Brodrick, D., & Wissing, M. P. (2011). The eudaimonic and hedonic components of happiness: Qualitative and quantitative findings. Social indicators research, 100, 185-207