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Some Implications of Believing That Happiness Involves the Absence of Pain: Negative Hedonic Beliefs Exacerbate the Effects of Stress on Well-Being

Author

Listed:
  • Ethan A. McMahan

    (Western Oregon University)

  • Incheol Choi

    (Seoul National University)

  • Yuri Kwon

    (Seoul National University)

  • Jongan Choi

    (Seoul National University)

  • Joshua Fuller

    (Seoul National University)

  • Patrick Josh

    (Western Oregon University)

Abstract

One common belief about happiness, espoused to varying degrees by both researchers and laypeople alike, is that happiness involves a lack of negative hedonic experiences. In the current investigation, we examine whether individual differences in endorsement of this belief, termed negative hedonic belief, moderate the effects of stress on happiness and several indicators of well-being. It was predicted that because stress involves the experience of negative hedonic states, increased stress would be more robustly associated with decreased happiness and well-being among those endorsing negative hedonic beliefs. Results from three studies utilizing both retrospective and prospective research designs generally support this prediction and suggest that endorsing the belief that happiness involves a lack of negative hedonic experiences is associated with more negative outcomes in response to the experience of heightened life stress.

Suggested Citation

  • Ethan A. McMahan & Incheol Choi & Yuri Kwon & Jongan Choi & Joshua Fuller & Patrick Josh, 2016. "Some Implications of Believing That Happiness Involves the Absence of Pain: Negative Hedonic Beliefs Exacerbate the Effects of Stress on Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(6), pages 2569-2593, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:17:y:2016:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-015-9707-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-015-9707-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sonja Lyubomirsky & Heidi Lepper, 1999. "A Measure of Subjective Happiness: Preliminary Reliability and Construct Validation," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 137-155, February.
    2. Yukiko Uchida & Vinai Norasakkunkit & Shinobu Kitayama, 2004. "Cultural constructions of happiness: theory and emprical evidence," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 223-239, September.
    3. Luo Lu, 2001. "Understanding Happiness: A Look into the Chinese Folk Psychology," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 2(4), pages 407-432, December.
    4. Ethan McMahan & David Estes, 2011. "Measuring Lay Conceptions of Well-Being: The Beliefs About Well-Being Scale," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(2), pages 267-287, April.
    5. Luo Lu & Robin Gilmour, 2004. "Culture and conceptions of happiness: individual oriented and social oriented swb," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 269-291, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuri Kwon & Jongan Choi & Incheol Choi, 2024. "The Unhappy Beliefs of Happiness: Investigating the Mechanisms Underlying the Links Between Negative Hedonic Beliefs and Diminished Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(7), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Mina Jyung & Incheol Choi & Yerin Shim, 2021. "Enjoyment Versus Competence Trade-Off: Happy People Value Enjoyment Over Competence More Than Unhappy People," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(8), pages 3679-3701, December.
    3. Hezhi Chen & Zhijia Zeng, 2023. "Seeking Pleasure is Good, but Avoiding Pain is Bad: Distinguishing Hedonic Approach from Hedonic Avoidance Orientations," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(7), pages 2377-2393, October.

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