Longitudinal well-being through the pursuit of hedonia and eudaimonia: inhibition and enhancement of eudaimonic behavior

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.