Constitutive and instrumental goal orientations and their relations with eudaimonic and hedonic well-being.

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Constitutive and instrumental goal orientations and their relations with eudaimonic and hedonic well-being.

This study investigated an Aristotelian model of eudaimonic and hedonic well-being that distinguishes between goal orientations in which the means and ends are separable (instrumental) and in which the means and ends are inherently related (constitutive). Eudaimonic well-being was expected to be related to constitutive goal orientation and hedonic well-being was expected to be related to both constitutive and instrumental goal orientation. Personal identification with activities was expected to mediate the relationship between constitutive goal orientation and eudaimonic well-being. Personal enjoyment was expected to mediate the relationship between instrumental goal orientation and hedonic well-being. Factor analysis supported the independence of constitutive and instrumental goal orientation measures. As predicted SEM results suggested that there were independent pathways to eudaimonic and hedonic well-being with strong mediation in both pathways. Results were consistent with Aristotle's [Aristotle (1999). The Nicomachean ethics (M. Ostwald Trans.). Upper Saddle River NJ: Prentice Hall.] concept of eudaimonia and contribute to the growing literature exploring the contrast between eudaimonic and hedonic well-being.

Citation: 
The Journal of Positive Psychology Vol. 5, No. 2, March 2010, 139–153

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