Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
12:55
Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties
Published on: September 27, 2020
9.3K
Is Valuing Happiness Associated With Lower Well-Being? A Factor-Level Analysis using the Valuing Happiness Scale
Maike Luhmann1, Elizabeth A Necka2, Felix D Schönbrodt3
1University of Cologne, Department of Psychology, Herbert-Lewin-Str. 2, 50931 Köln, Germany.
Journal of Research in Personality
|January 19, 2016
Summary
Valuing happiness may not harm well-being, contrary to prior research. A re-examination of the Valuing Happiness Scale reveals its structure is complex, with only one factor negatively impacting well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Well-being Research
Background:
- Previous research suggests a negative association between valuing happiness and overall well-being.
- The Valuing Happiness Scale (VHS) is commonly used to measure this construct.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factor structure of the Valuing Happiness Scale.
- To clarify the relationship between valuing happiness and well-being by examining the scale's psychometric properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.
- Analyzed pooled data from six independent samples (Ntotal = 938).
Main Results:
- The Valuing Happiness Scale is not unidimensional, exhibiting three distinct factors.
- Only one factor showed a negative correlation with well-being indicators; others showed non-significant or positive correlations.
Conclusions:
- The assumption that valuing happiness is universally detrimental to well-being may be inaccurate.
- Further research is needed to refine the definition, theoretical underpinnings, and operationalization of valuing happiness.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:22Traits, Mood, and Subjective Wellbeing
369
Subjective well-being (SWB) refers to an individual's self-evaluation of their overall life satisfaction, happiness, and fulfillment. This multifaceted construct is typically assessed by analyzing the balance of positive and negative emotions alongside perceptions of life satisfaction. Personality traits such as neuroticism and extraversion are strongly associated with variations in SWB, offering critical insights into the underlying mechanisms of emotional well-being.
Neuroticism and...
Neuroticism and...
369
01:27Need for Self-Esteem
279
The human need for self-esteem has long intrigued psychologists, leading to the development of several theories that explore its evolutionary and functional significance. Among the most influential are the sociometer, hierometer, and terror management theories. Each offers a unique perspective on why people strive for self-worth and how it shapes behavior and social interaction.Sociometer TheoryAccording to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance. It...
279
01:09Decision Making: P-value Method
7.2K
The process of hypothesis testing based on the P-value method includes calculating the P- value using the sample data and interpreting it.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can...
7.2K
01:25Benefits of Self-Esteem
264
Self-esteem—an individual's overall evaluation of their worth—plays a complex role in psychological functioning and well-being. It is often associated with many positive traits, such as confidence, optimism, and perseverance. Individuals with high self-esteem typically experience better sleep, manage peer pressure more effectively, and report greater life satisfaction. Conversely, low self-esteem has been consistently linked with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and poor...
264
02:01Factorial Design
15.4K
Factorial Analysis is an experimental design that applies Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical procedures to examine a change in a dependent variable due to more than one independent variable, also known as factors. Changes in worker productivity can be reasoned, for example, to be influenced by salary and other conditions, such as skill level. One way to test this hypothesis is by categorizing salary into three levels (low, moderate, and high) and skills sets into two levels (entry level...
15.4K
01:27Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
353
Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...
353