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Eudaimonic Orientation Enhances the Well-Being Experienced by Fathers

Author

Listed:
  • Courtney A. Gosselin

    (University of Ottawa
    Acadia University)

  • Veronika Huta

    (University of Ottawa)

  • Arthur Braaten

    (University of Ottawa)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential moderating roles of eudaimonic orientation (prioritizing authenticity, meaning, excellence, growth) and hedonic orientation (prioritizing pleasure, comfort) on the link between parental status and well-being. A sample of 473 parents and 138 nonparents from Canada and the United States completed a questionnaire assessing eudaimonic and hedonic motives for activities and well-being experiences in their private life. The sample was balanced by gender, country, and age group (ages ranged from 18 to 93). Multivariate regression analyses revealed a significant positive interaction between being a parent and eudaimonic orientation in predicting positive well-being experiences as a set. Follow-up analyses comparing results by gender revealed that eudaimonic orientation had an enhancing moderating effect on fathers’, but not mothers’, well-being. Univariate regression analyses showed that, for males, the interaction between eudaimonic orientation and parental status related specifically to life satisfaction, and experiences of meaning, elevation, self-connectedness, vitality, and relatedness. No significant interaction effect was found between parental status and hedonic orientation in predicting overall well-being. The results of our study suggest that the ways people construe and pursue the ‘good life’ have important implications for the well-being derived from parenthood—at least for fathers. Our findings also support evidence suggesting that eudaimonic and hedonic orientations constitute an important lens through which individuals interpret the well-being experienced in relation to different life contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Courtney A. Gosselin & Veronika Huta & Arthur Braaten, 2022. "Eudaimonic Orientation Enhances the Well-Being Experienced by Fathers," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(4), pages 2117-2138, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:17:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s11482-021-10020-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-021-10020-0
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