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Maturity and Well-Being: The Development of Self-Authorship, Eudaimonic Motives, Age, and Subjective Well-Being

Author

Listed:
  • Lars Bauger

    (University of South-Eastern Norway)

  • Rob Bongaardt

    (University of South-Eastern Norway)

  • Jack J. Bauer

    (University of Dayton)

Abstract

In this article, we investigate psychological maturity and other eudaimonic phenomena to predict subjective well-being (SWB), as well as if age moderate the relationship between psychological maturity and SWB. To assess psychological maturity, we analyzed 223 participants’ narratives of a high point in their life, according to Kegan’s (In over our heads: the mental demands of modern life, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1994) theory of adult development and the accompanying subject-object interview guide. In a multiple regression analysis, we found support for our first hypothesis that level of psychological maturity in the narratives significantly predicts SWB when controlling for other eudaimonic phenomena like meaning in life, growth motivation, and authenticity. We found some support for our second hypothesis that age moderated the relation between psychological maturity and SWB, but not in the expected direction. That is, maturity predicted SWB only for those under 60 years old and not for the older age group, but this moderating influence of age on the relation between psychological maturity and SWB was not supported in regression models with a continuous or tripartite age variable. These are novel results as psychological maturity has traditionally not been associated with well-being. We discuss our findings in relation to similar constructs such as autonomy that have traditionally been linked with SWB.

Suggested Citation

  • Lars Bauger & Rob Bongaardt & Jack J. Bauer, 2021. "Maturity and Well-Being: The Development of Self-Authorship, Eudaimonic Motives, Age, and Subjective Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1313-1340, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:22:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-020-00274-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-020-00274-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Weiting Ng, 2015. "Processes Underlying Links to Subjective Well-being: Material Concerns, Autonomy, and Personality," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(6), pages 1575-1591, December.
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    8. Feng Li & Xinwen Bai & Yong Wang, 2013. "The Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE): Psychometric Properties and Normative Data in a Large Chinese Sample," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-9, April.
    9. Andrew Howell & Karen Buro, 2015. "Measuring and Predicting Student Well-Being: Further Evidence in Support of the Flourishing Scale and the Scale of Positive and Negative Experiences," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 121(3), pages 903-915, April.
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    1. Liying Jiao & Wen Jiang & Zhen Guo & Yue Xiao & Mengke Yu & Yan Xu, 2023. "Good Personality and Subjective Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study in Chinese Contexts," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 589-606, February.

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