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Journal ArticleDOI

Can seeking happiness make people unhappy? Paradoxical effects of valuing happiness.

01 Aug 2011-Emotion (American Psychological Association)-Vol. 11, Iss: 4, pp 807-815
TL;DR: It is argued that valuing happiness may not always be the case, and that the more people value happiness, the more likely they will feel disappointed, which may lead people to be less happy just when happiness is within reach.
Abstract: Happiness is a key ingredient of well-being. It is thus reasonable to expect that valuing happiness will have beneficial outcomes. We argue that this may not always be the case. Instead, valuing happiness could be self-defeating, because the more people value happiness, the more likely they will feel disappointed. This should apply particularly in positive situations, in which people have every reason to be happy. Two studies support this hypothesis. In Study 1, female participants who valued happiness more (vs. less) reported lower happiness when under conditions of low, but not high, life stress. In Study 2, compared to a control group, female participants who were experimentally induced to value happiness reacted less positively to a happy, but not a sad, emotion induction. This effect was mediated by participants’ disappointment at their own feelings. Paradoxically, therefore, valuing happiness may lead people to be less happy just when happiness is within reach.

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The author proposes an approach to systematically evaluate the contextual factors shaping emotion regulation by specifying the components that characterize emotion regulation and then systematically evaluating deviations within each of these components and their underlying dimensions.
Abstract: Emotion regulation has been conceptualized as a process by which individuals modify their emotional experiences, expressions, and physiology and the situations eliciting such emotions in order to produce appropriate responses to the ever-changing demands posed by the environment. Thus, context plays a central role in emotion regulation. This is particularly relevant to the work on emotion regulation in psychopathology, because psychological disorders are characterized by rigid responses to the environment. However, this recognition of the importance of context has appeared primarily in the theoretical realm, with the empirical work lagging behind. In this review, the author proposes an approach to systematically evaluate the contextual factors shaping emotion regulation. Such an approach consists of specifying the components that characterize emotion regulation and then systematically evaluating deviations within each of these components and their underlying dimensions. Initial guidelines for how to combi...

669 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a large survey revealed multiple differing predictors of happiness (controlling for meaning) and meaningfulness, including worry, stress, and anxiety, which were linked to higher meaningfulness but lower happiness.
Abstract: Being happy and finding life meaningful overlap, but there are important differences A large survey revealed multiple differing predictors of happiness (controlling for meaning) and meaningfulness (controlling for happiness) Satisfying one’s needs and wants increased happiness but was largely irrelevant to meaningfulness Happiness was largely present oriented, whereas meaningfulness involves integrating past, present, and future For example, thinking about future and past was associated with high meaningfulness but low happiness Happiness was linked to being a taker rather than a giver, whereas meaningfulness went with being a giver rather than a taker Higher levels of worry, stress, and anxiety were linked to higher meaningfulness but lower happiness Concerns with personal identity and expressing the self contributed to meaning but not happiness We offer brief composite sketches of the unhappy but meaningful life and of the happy but meaningless life

559 citations

Posted Content
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this article, a large survey revealed multiple differing predictors of happiness (controlling for meaning) and meaningfulness, and concluded that satisfying one's needs and wants increased happiness but was largely irrelevant to meaningfulness.
Abstract: Being happy and finding life meaningful overlap, but there are important differences. A large survey revealed multiple differing predictors of happiness (controlling for meaning) and meaningfulness (controlling for happiness). Satisfying one's needs and wants increased happiness but was largely irrelevant to meaningfulness. Happiness was largely present-oriented, whereas meaningfulness involves integrating past, present, and future. For example, thinking about future and past was associated with high meaningfulness but low happiness. Happiness was linked to being a taker rather than a giver, whereas meaningfulness went with being a giver rather than a taker. Higher levels of worry, stress, and anxiety were linked to higher meaningfulness but lower happiness. Concerns with personal identity and expressing the self-contributed to meaning but not happiness. We offer brief composite sketches of the unhappy but meaningful life and of the happy but meaningless life.

540 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article proposed a translational framework for the study of emotion regulation in normative and clinical populations, which is relevant to both basic research, experimental psychopathology, and clinical practice, and specify how such tools can be used in a variety of settings.
Abstract: How do people flexibly regulate their emotions in order to manage the diverse demands of varying situations? This question assumes particular importance given the central role that emotion regulation (ER) deficits play in many forms of psychopathology. In this review, we propose a translational framework for the study of ER flexibility that is relevant to normative and clinical populations. We also offer a set of computational tools that are useful for work on ER flexibility. We specify how such tools can be used in a variety of settings, such as basic research, experimental psychopathology, and clinical practice. Our goal is to encourage the theoretical and methodological precision that is needed in order to facilitate progress in this important area.

498 citations


Cites background from "Can seeking happiness make people u..."

  • ...…to which they use ER strategies in response to different situations that vary in critical affective dimensions, such as emotional valence (e.g., Mauss et al. 2011), motivation (e.g., Carver and Scheier 1998; Tamir et al. 2008; Gable and Harmon-Jones 2011) and interpersonal context (e.g.,…...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A substantial body of recent research reveals that conscientiousness plays a very significant role in health, with implications across the lifespan, and more caution is warranted before policy makers offer narrow health recommendations based on short-term or correlational findings.
Abstract: A lifespan perspective on personality and health uncovers new causal pathways and provides a deeper, more nuanced approach to interventions. It is unproven that happiness is a direct cause of good health or that negative emotion, worry, and depression are significant direct causes of disease. Instead, depression-related characteristics are likely often reflective of an already-deteriorating trajectory. It is also unproven that challenging work in a demanding environment usually brings long-term health risks; on the contrary, individual strivings for accomplishment and persistent dedication to one's career or community often are associated with sizeable health benefits. Overall, a substantial body of recent research reveals that conscientiousness plays a very significant role in health, with implications across the lifespan. Much more caution is warranted before policy makers offer narrow health recommendations based on short-term or correlational findings. Attention should be shifted to individual trajectories and pathways to health and well-being.

392 citations


Cites background from "Can seeking happiness make people u..."

  • ...On the other hand, seeking emotional happiness per se may impede well-being by setting oneself up for disappointment or narcissism (Mauss et al. 2011, Twenge 2006)....

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References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article seeks to make theorists and researchers aware of the importance of not using the terms moderator and mediator interchangeably by carefully elaborating the many ways in which moderators and mediators differ, and delineates the conceptual and strategic implications of making use of such distinctions with regard to a wide range of phenomena.
Abstract: In this article, we attempt to distinguish between the properties of moderator and mediator variables at a number of levels. First, we seek to make theorists and researchers aware of the importance of not using the terms moderator and mediator interchangeably by carefully elaborating, both conceptually and strategically, the many ways in which moderators and mediators differ. We then go beyond this largely pedagogical function and delineate the conceptual and strategic implications of making use of such distinctions with regard to a wide range of phenomena, including control and stress, attitudes, and personality traits. We also provide a specific compendium of analytic procedures appropriate for making the most effective use of the moderator and mediator distinction, both separately and in terms of a broader causal system that includes both moderators and mediators.

80,095 citations


"Can seeking happiness make people u..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...To test whether effects of the values manipulation were mediated by disappointment, we followed procedures suggested by Baron and Kenny (1986)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Two 10-item mood scales that comprise the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) are developed and are shown to be highly internally consistent, largely uncorrelated, and stable at appropriate levels over a 2-month time period.
Abstract: In recent studies of the structure of affect, positive and negative affect have consistently emerged as two dominant and relatively independent dimensions. A number of mood scales have been created to measure these factors; however, many existing measures are inadequate, showing low reliability or poor convergent or discriminant validity. To fill the need for reliable and valid Positive Affect and Negative Affect scales that are also brief and easy to administer, we developed two 10-item mood scales that comprise the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The scales are shown to be highly internally consistent, largely uncorrelated, and stable at appropriate levels over a 2-month time period. Normative data and factorial and external evidence of convergent and discriminant validity for the scales are also presented.

34,482 citations

Book
01 Jan 1991
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of predictor scaling on the coefficients of regression equations are investigated. But, they focus mainly on the effect of predictors scaling on coefficients of regressions.
Abstract: Introduction Interactions between Continuous Predictors in Multiple Regression The Effects of Predictor Scaling on Coefficients of Regression Equations Testing and Probing Three-Way Interactions Structuring Regression Equations to Reflect Higher Order Relationships Model and Effect Testing with Higher Order Terms Interactions between Categorical and Continuous Variables Reliability and Statistical Power Conclusion Some Contrasts Between ANOVA and MR in Practice

27,897 citations

Posted Content
TL;DR: The Satisfaction With Life Scale is narrowly focused to assess global life satisfaction and does not tap related constructs such as positive affect or loneliness, but is shown to have favorable psychometric properties, including high internal consistency and high temporal reliability.
Abstract: This article reports the development and validation of a scale to measure global life satisfaction, the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Among the various components of subjective well-being, the SWLS is narrowly focused to assess global life satisfaction and does not tap related constructs such as positive affect or loneliness. The SWLS is shown to have favorable psychometric properties, including high internal consistency and high temporal reliability. Scores on the SWLS correlate moderately to highly with other measures of subjective well-being, and correlate predictably with specific personality characteristics. It is noted that the SWLS is suited for use with different age groups, and other potential uses of the scale are discussed.

21,449 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) as mentioned in this paper is a scale to measure global life satisfaction, which does not tap related constructs such as positive affect or loneliness, and has favorable psychometric properties, including high internal consistency and high temporal reliability.
Abstract: This article reports the development and validation of a scale to measure global life satisfaction, the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Among the various components of subjective well-being, the SWLS is narrowly focused to assess global life satisfaction and does not tap related constructs such as positive affect or loneliness. The SWLS is shown to have favorable psychometric properties, including high internal consistency and high temporal reliability. Scores on the SWLS correlate moderately to highly with other measures of subjective well-being, and correlate predictably with specific personality characteristics. It is noted that the SWLS is Suited for use with different age groups, and other potential uses of the scale are discussed.

20,751 citations