Self-centeredness and selflessness: happiness correlates and mediating psychological processes

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology

Background:

• The Self-centeredness/Selflessness Happiness Model posits that self-centeredness yields fluctuating happiness, while selflessness promotes authentic, durable happiness.
• This model suggests distinct mediating psychological processes for each type of happiness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically test the core assumptions of the Self-centeredness/Selflessness Happiness Model.
• To investigate the mediating roles of specific affective and emotional states in the happiness pathways.

Main Methods:

• Two studies were conducted with heterogeneous samples (N=547).
• Factor analysis was used to validate the constructs of self-centeredness (egocentrism, materialism) and selflessness (self-transcendence, connectedness).
• Statistical mediation analyses examined the proposed relationships.

Main Results:

• Self-centeredness and selflessness were confirmed as distinct psychological constructs.
• Self-centeredness positively correlated with fluctuating happiness, whereas selflessness positively correlated with authentic-durable happiness.
• Afflictive affects fully mediated the link between self-centeredness and fluctuating happiness.
• Emotional stability and harmony partially mediated the link between selflessness and authentic-durable happiness.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the Self-centeredness/Selflessness Happiness Model.
• Negative emotions mediate the happiness derived from self-centeredness.
• Positive emotional states mediate the happiness derived from selflessness, supporting its role in durable well-being.