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The hierarchical structure of well-being
Matthew W Gallagher1, Shane J Lopez, Kristopher J Preacher
1University of Kansas, Department of Psychology, Fraser 426, Lawrence, KS 66045-7556, USA. mwg@ku.edu
Journal of Personality
|June 30, 2009
Summary
This study integrates hedonic, eudaimonic, and social well-being models. Findings confirm these distinct structures can be combined into a comprehensive well-being framework.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Hedonic, eudaimonic, and social well-being are key models for mental health.
- Limited research exists on integrating these well-being models into a unified structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationships among hedonic, eudaimonic, and social well-being.
- To determine if these three models can be integrated into a comprehensive well-being hierarchy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized confirmatory factor analysis on two large samples.
- Tested models to confirm latent structures of the three well-being types.
- Examined the integration of these models into a hierarchical structure.
Main Results:
- Confirmed the proposed latent structures for hedonic, eudaimonic, and social well-being.
- Demonstrated that these components can be represented by three oblique second-order constructs.
- Supported the parsimonious integration of the three well-being models.
Conclusions:
- The three models of well-being (hedonic, eudaimonic, social) possess distinct structures.
- These distinct well-being constructs can be integrated into a hierarchical framework.
- A comprehensive model of well-being can be achieved by combining these three facets.
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