Now you see it, now you don’t: Solid and subtle differences between Hedonic and Eudaimonic Wellbeing

Abstract

Data from an intensive longitudinal goal intervention study in Norway (N = 138) were used to test the assumption that hedonic (HWB) and eudaimonic (EWB) wellbeing reflect two distinct dimensions of wellbeing. Based on multilevel factor analyses, a path model and hierarchical regression analyses the paper aimed to demonstrate that a basic duality between the two kinds of wellbeing exists. Compared with one-factor models, factor models that separated between HWB and EWB were better able to explain the correlation between the variables. The two factors correlated in the area of .50 to .70. A multitrait-multimethod test revealed acceptable convergent and discriminant validity for HWB and EWB. Furthermore, an experimental manipulation of a daily exercise partly supported discriminant validity. Aside from illuminating the debate with new data, the paper offers a new theoretical perspective. Yet, several essential issues remain to be settled in order to better understand the concept of wellbeing.